Bridge Street in Chester closed amid fears part of historic Rows are in danger of collapse

Feb 10 2010 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

PART of Bridge Street in Chester is to be closed to the public this afternoon (Wednesday, February 10) amid fears that part of the city’s historic Rows are in danger of collapse.

Up to nine shops at the top end of Bridge Street Row have been given an hour to evacuate their premises after a beam in the Panasonic store was found to be in a rotten state.

Grosvenor Estate, who own the building, are believed to be arranging for surveyors and structural engineers to move in to replace the wooden beam with a metal one.

The shops affected are either side of the Panasonic store on Row level, below it at street level as well as three outlets across the road.

At the moment, it is not clear how long the street will be closed to the public or how long the shops will remain shut.