A jeweller's legacy and a monkey's handy flame light Cheapside's past

Despite all the changes in Preston's shopping streets it is still possible to enter two neighbouring shops on Cheapside that have their roots planted firmly in the 17th century

- writes Keith Johnson.

Over 90 years ago in early 1933 the Kettering & Leicester Boot Company were pleased to announce the opening, after modernisation, of No. 34 Market Place, in the row of shops we know collectively as Cheapside, premises from which Josiah Green's shoe business had traded for over 55 years. Also receiving renovation at the time was No.33 the gable fronted shop of Thomas Yates Jeweller's, run by proprietor David K. Rhodes, which is a half timbered structure. It is believed to have been erected around 1638 and records show it was the residence of town surgeon Dr. Wortton back in 1684.

Originally that timbered building extended to its left, but the reconstruction in the 19th century led to the emergence of two adjoining shops. Under their listed status the premises are described thus: “Originally a house, later two shops, timber framed, partly rendered, partly weather boarded with Welsh slate roof. Internally, much timber framing has survived from 17th century days.”

In 1948 No. 33 was home to Theakstons the tobacconists who had Timpson's and the Benson Shoe Company as neighbours. Old customers of Theakstons recalled a statue of a monkey on the counter with a gas flame coming out of it's mouth, enabling customers to light their cigarettes or cigars.