The Shambles: old alley by Pavers boarded up 'for years'

The alley, which dates back to medieval times, used to run between The Shambles and the High Street in Worcester next to what is now Pavers.

However, some have complained the old passageway, which had been a shopping arcade, has now been boarded up 'for years' with the wooden panels daubed with unsightly graffiti tags.

One resident asked: "There used to be a shopping arcade that ran from opposite Caffé Nero in The Shambles, joining with the one connecting the High Street with The Shambles.

"Now there's just ugly wooden shuttering across the entrance to it. Since it has been left like this for quite some time, one has to ask if anyone knows of any plans to advance it beyond a piece of wood?"

CLOSED: The former Costa (and Golden Lion pub) is the other end of an ancient alley which used to run between the High Street and The Shambles in Worcester city centre (Image: Newsquest)

Paul Harding of Discover History said: "'All medieval towns and cities were criss-crossed by a maze of alleyways or 'entries' as we call them in Worcester.

"Even before the old arcade was built, people travelled between the main streets on these narrow highways. It would be good to see them opened up again.

"Being boarded up and covered in graffiti, just looks bad for the city. People often say, 'you won't see this in Stratford and York'. However, when you look around, it's a national problem. Boarding, graffiti and closed off alleyways.

"The passage did have shops and small dwellings in at one time which was normal for Worcester. Post 1960s most of these areas were cleared as being unsanitary and overcrowded.

MASK: The death mask of William Guise inside the former Costa/Golden Lion which once formed part of the medieval alley which is now blocked both by changes in the buildings and a wooden board at The Shambles end in Worcester city centre (Image: Newsquest)

"Opening up the Golden Lion passage would probably be impossible now, due to the alignment being different, especially as the opening from the High Street is now inside the old Costa."

Mr Harding explained the alley was 'medieval originally' running between the Merchant's House which later became the Golden Lion and then Costa which has since closed.

We have previously reported how heritage champion Daniel Daniels expressed concern visitors are not able to view a Civil War-era death mask which is central to the city's story because the precious relic lies inside the shut-up coffee shop.

UGLY: The wooden boards at the former passageway next to Pavers in The Shambles in Worcester city centre (Image: Supplied)

Mr Daniels, chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society, is keen to safeguard access to visitors who want to view the death mask of William Guise at the former Costa Coffee in the city's High Street, opposite the Guildhall.

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The Costa closed its doors for the final time on Wednesday, September 13, and all staff have now moved to the new location - the former Paperchase building, also on the High Street.

At the rear of the former coffee shop, now closed, is a rare and somewhat macabre survival from the time of the English Civil War, the death mask of William Guise, a local tailor who betrayed the royalists’ plans, helping Cromwell to take Worcester during the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651. He was hanged for treachery. There is also a replica of the death mask inside the coffee shop itself with a plaque explaining its historic significance. 

However, a spokesman for Birmingham-based Johnson Fellows said 'access is available on request' but that it had to coincide with viewings as they seek to find new tenants for the former cafe.

It is believed that the Golden Lion existed as a pub from at least the 16th Century.

The grade II listed building was once a mediaeval merchant’s house believed to have been built in the late 14th or early 15th century.

We have approached Pavers, believed to own the former arcade, for a comment.