The Historic Development of 64 Gerard Street

The Historic Development of 64 Gerard Street

64 Gerard Street. Now occupied by ‘The Cupcakery’ at ground floor and residential at upper floors. Situated next to Vapour Trader (3 Garswood) and TSB (66 Gerard Street). Source: Creative Heritage Consultants Ltd.

64 Gerard Street is the first project to start on site as part of the Ashton-in-Makerfield Town Centre Building Grant Scheme. Interestingly, 64 Gerard Street has not always been a commercial property.

Historical development

When researching in Wigan and Leigh Archives, I came across a historic photograph which shows number 64 as a residential building. The exact date of this photograph is unknown, but based on the horse and cart, fashion and the tramline, I think it was taken around the late 1890s to early 1900s. However, in terms of the date the building was constructed, I would speculate this was between 1830 to 1860. This is primarily based on its Georgian features such as the six over six (multi-paned) sash windows, window lintels and a stepped entrance to a traditional timber door. 

According to census and directory research, James Rampling lived at number 64 in 1881. The census records he was aged 60 and married to Sarah Rampling. His occupation was a shopkeeper and he was the head of the household.

The electoral register for 1894-1895 describes the property as a ‘dwelling house’, suggesting it was in fact residential, and this is what the old photo indicates. In 1898, the trade directories show that James Rampling still occupied the property, but described his occupation as being a ‘grocer’. At this point in time, James would have been aged 77!

It is worth noting there is always a possibility that the houses have been renumbered since the late nineteenth century. Judging by the windows, the building in the historic image is not a grocer’s shop, so if the numbering is right, we have to assume that the shop was located elsewhere. Does anyone know where the grocers shop might have been?

In 1905, James Rampling and his family were no longer at the property. The 1905 Kelly’s directory records that Margaret Roberts occupied both 64 and 66 Gerard Street and that she was a chemist.

Unfortunately, it is unclear as to exactly when 64 Gerard Street was converted into commercial at ground floor. When undertaking research at Wigan and Leigh Archives, the helpful library team suggested I looked at the valuation lists for Ashton-in-Makerfield. Within the 1921 Valuation List, 64 Gerard Street was listed as a ‘house shop’ which was owned by Lord Gerard (as was much of the property during this time).

A house shop was where retail trade was conducted from a dwelling house, where one or more occupants reside there. This suggests that in 1921 all or part of the ground floor was being used for commercial activity, whereas the upper floor remained residential. According to both the 1905 and 1924 trade directories, Margaret Roberts was named as a chemist, suggesting that part of nos. 64 and 66 could have been being used for this purpose.

I have not been able to find much information about the property from 1924 onwards, so if anyone has any information or memories about 64 Gerard Street, then please get in touch!

Recent history

Today, 64 Gerard Street consists of three storeys and is attached to number 66 on Gerard Street, which is occupied by TSB, and number 3 Garswood Street, which is occupied by Vapour Trader. By analysing the building fabric, it is clear that number 64 and part of number 66 has been rebuilt, and I would speculate this was completed in the early twentieth century based on the bay windows and the type of brickwork.

Another interesting feature which could help date the rebuild is the transom lights, which were popular in the early 1900s to allow additional light into the property. The transom lights at number 64 have a distinctly art deco style, suggesting they date from the late 1920s or 1930s. They were clearly popular in Ashton, as they can be found on several buildings including the old co-operative building (on the corner of Gerard Street and Liverpool Road), 64 Gerard Street and 3 Garswood Street.

64 Gerard Street is attached to 3 Garswood Street, which is occupied by Vapour Trader. It is interesting that Vapour Trader really looks like it's part of the same building, but it is only two storey. It should also be noted that the entrance to the upper floors of both buildings is through the door beside Vapour Trader. Was this always the case, or was there a second door between the two shopfronts on Garswood Street? It certainly seems that the residential was independently accessed, not through the shop, so the commercial ground floor and flats upstairs were separate.

Interestingly at number 66 Gerard Street, a two storey building has survived. This likely dates to the Victorian or early Edwardian period(s) based on the more decorative architectural style and terracotta detailing. Although this building was slightly later than the original residential building at number 64, it enables us to continue to read the former two storey construction.

In terms of more recent history, in 2008, 64 Gerard Street was occupied by an amusement arcade named Red Rose on the ground floor. In 2015, the ground floor was occupied by a milkshake shop named Blend and Shake.

Today, 64 Gerard Street is occupied by a cake shop named the Cupcakery. Next door to this is access to the residential flats on the upper floors and Vapour Trader at 3 Garswood Street.

Works to repair, reinstate and enhance the shopfronts at the Cupcakery and Vapour Trader have commenced on site as part of the Ashton Town Centre Building Grant Scheme Round One projects. The scheme has been designed by Mojo Architects and the appointed contractors are WJ Structures. Both are local companies based in Leigh. We will be providing updates as work on site progresses. Meanwhile, both businesses are trading. Please support them while the work is going on.

Conclusion

64 Gerard Street has an interesting history dating back to the Georgian period as a residential property. It then became a house shop where I speculate a chemist traded from, until being completely rebuilt in the early twentieth century. Although the original building has been lost, the two-storey construction can still be read through part of number 66, and the transom lights contribute to the area’s architectural and historic significance. I can’t wait to see the repaired and enhanced shopfronts and the transformational impact they will have on the high street!

We would also love to hear any more stories and memories about 64 Gerard Street and other properties in Ashton. We will be publishing blog posts at the end of each month so please complete a form submission on the blog homepage with any memories or interesting information we could include.

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