Plymouth, Westwell Street

PLYMOUTH
DATA

The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

PLYMOUTH ROADS AND STREETS

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Location

Westwell Street ran southwards from Bedford Street to Princess Square.

Principal buildings

The principal buildings on the east side of Westwell Street in 1890 were:

Guildhall Square with the Municipal Offices and Guildhall.

and on the western side:

the St Andrew's Hall; the General Post Office; St Andrew's parish burial ground, which was later made into Westwell Gardens.

Looking through Guildhall Square to the General Post Office in Westwell Street, Plymouth

Looking through Guildhall Square to the General Post
Office in Westwell Street.

Principal businesses

The principal businesses on the eastern side of Westwell Street in 1890 were:

Henry P Hearder, dispensing chemist; Garland & Salter, ladies outfitters; Thomas Raddon & Son, shoeing forge; George S Randle & Son, coach builders; Robinson & Company, brewers; and Wainwright & Son. agents for the Great Western Railway.

and on the west side (returning from Princess square):

Westington & Stevens, coal merchants; the Plymouth Fish Supply; Mrs Emily Sherrill, dairy; John Ambrose Kingwell, dairyman; James Gibbs, Son & Company, chemical manure manufactuers; Mrs Helen Battershill, confectioner, next to the General Post Office.

Westwell Street was badly damaged in the Second World War and some of the shops on the western side were able to re-open afterwards. The Municipal Offices were destroyed and the remains pulled down to make way for Royal Parade. The position of the Guildhall, which survived the Blitz, gives a good idea of the line of Westwell Street.