Remains of the northern entrance to the Roman fortress have been uncovered by archaeologists during repairs to the Northgate steps that lead up to the City Walls.
Huge foundation stones have been discovered which are thought to represent what’s left of a Roman gate tower – one of a pair – with evidence suggesting 1st century AD timber gates and towers preceded the stone towers.
While the discovery is exciting news for many, the continued closure of the City Walls at this point is bringing nothing but misery to businesswoman Emma Laverick whose gift shop relies on passing trade.
Emma, who opened Pemberleys of Chester atop the walls in October 2014, had no sooner opened when the walls by the Eastgate Clock were shut for repairs during most of 2015.
It had been hoped the reconstruction of the steps, which began in the spring, would be completed by the end of October.
Now Emma understands the walls are likely to remain closed for up to 18 months.
She said: “So, given their news today, the walls will have been fully open eight months of our three-year lease. It is hard to survive even with the walls open, let alone when closed. This is the first year that the walls will be closed during our critical Christmas trading period. We hate to think what the next few weeks will bring as we are behind paying our rent again.”
Emma, who owns the shop with husband David, says as a new venture there is no entitlement to compensation from the council because there is no trading data and the landlords won’t agree to a rent reduction for the businesses on that section of walls.
She continued: “We cannot sell our businesses either, as what sensible person would buy them? We are trapped in every way. We have one year left on our rent and providing we scrape through, we will close next October so another well liked independent shop gone in Chester and £30k losses to myself and my husband.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council has now responded to concerns from affected businesses.
Councillor Louise Gittins, cabinet member for culture and wellbeing, said: “We are committed to keeping local businesses updated and supporting them in any way we can during the essential closure of Northgate steps.
“We have installed plenty of signs along the diversion route to encourage people to stay on the Walls.
"At the request of local traders, we have replaced the ‘footpath closed’ sign at the foot of the steps with a notice confirming the Walls are open and that a pedestrian diversion is in place.
“We are currently exploring a suggestion by local business owners to produce an updated visitor map of the Walls.
"We will remain in close contact with those businesses affected and we are grateful for their patience during this unforeseen extended closure.”
The early 19th century Northgate steps have been propped up since 2011 in need of urgent repair because of structural instability but work only started this April.
During the controlled removal of the steps, archaeologists have been monitoring and recording the work and below the footprint of the steps interesting archaeological remains have been exposed.
The area of the North Gate has a complex history and archaeologically is a very sensitive location.
On the spot once stood a main gateway (Porta Decumana) to the Roman fortress. The subsequent medieval North Gate also housed a gaol, but this was demolished in 1808 and replaced with the current neo-classical structure in the early 19th century.
Evidence suggests the Roman foundations that ran back at right angles from the current line of the City Walls, were chopped through, recycled and incorporated into later fabric of the walls, possibly during the early 19th century. However several courses of Roman gate tower masonry were left untouched, sealed beneath the current steps – until now.
To the west of the steps a chamber, which was discovered within the wall, was also found to be all that remained of a pair of cottages built up against the inner face of the wall in the 18th century.
Current dismantling work has revealed evidence to show this section of the wall may be moving. Further investigation will now take place to determine how best to halt the movement and repair the wall. This section of the walls will remain closed to the public until it is secured.
As a Scheduled Monument, all alterations and repair work at North Gate are being carried out under the guidance of Historic England.
