Three Old Arches
Text: Chester City Council
The Three Old Arches in Bridge Street form part of what was once the largest known medieval town house in Chester's Rows. 
The 13th century stone frontage at street and Row levels, is thought to be the earliest shop front to survive in England.
The three chamfered arches at Row level, now dated 1274AD, were probably part of a right-angled hall on a narrow plot stretching back from the street. The storeys above the arches which are now brick, may originally have been timber framed. During the 14th century, the building was enlarged to incorporate two plots to the south, on the corner of Bridge Street and White Friars. 
This forms the largest example of a stone-walled hall set parallel with the Row in Chester, stretching over 12m by 8m and still containing an impressive east wall and four medieval doorways at Row level.
The medieval undercrofts have been much altered, but one still retains its 13th century sandstone chamfered arch.
For much of the 20th century, these undercrofts were the premises of William Jones, high class grocers. Although taken over by Owen Owen in the 1960s, the interior remained intact and groceries continued to be sold until the department store closed in 1999.