42, 44 and 46 High Street dates from shortly after the fire of 1583.
46 High Street is believed to have been built for Thomas Churche, a linen merchant from one of the prominent families of the town. It remained in the Church family until the late 19th century. The two bays that make up 46 High Street on the left, pictured above and now Nantwich Bookshop, were for Thomas.
The two bays on the right, pictured below (42 and 44 High Street) were built for William Church, who was Thomas’s cousin.
The building has a jettied first floor, which means the first floor occupies a larger area than the ground floor. The building has jetties at the front (on to the High Street), but also on to the side Street (Castle Street) – which is quite unusual. At the corner of the building is a carved caryatid (a naked figure) which is thought to be a symbol of fertilty. There also two carved busts on the first floor jetties of the Castle Street face, which are thought to be portraits of Thomas and Anne Church.
42 High Street was a Draper & Milliner, Boot and Shoe Manufacturers and Boot and Shoe Shop. This building is now occuppied by Cancer Research UK.
44 High Street was for many years a Chemist’s Shop (run by Joseph and later William Grice). In 1933 there was an explosion there, when William Grice was handling potassium which caught fire (burning his face and hair and filled the shops with fumes). The building was also a Sweets & Chocolates Shop. This buildings is now occupied by Enzo.
46 High Street in Victorian times was a Tailor and Woollen Draper’s Shop. It later became an ironmongers occupied by George Brothers, who also later became cycle and motor agents. Since 2003 it has been the premises for Nantwich Bookshop, and today is also a coffee lounge.
This postcard, labelled “Old Houses, High Street, Nantwich” shows (from left to right) George Bros., ironmongers and cycle and motor agents at 46, William C Grice’s family and dispensing chemist and druggist at 44, and Amies Ltd., boot and shoe manufacturers at 42 High Street:
