Newly built in 1730, this site had already been occupied by a house, a woodhouse, and a slaughterhouse. A malthouse was added by 1775.
In 1841 James Gates, a Yeoman Farmer aged 65, was living here. In 1861 another James Gates aged 59, a retired butcher who had had a shop in East Street was here. Presumably he was the son of the previous owner. In 1871 he is recorded as an alderman aged 67.
The Frithery
After the 1939-45 war the house was the home of the Rev and Mrs Frith for many years, known as ‘The Frithery’. Canon Frith apparently never got over the Theological College (Marriot Lodge) being built hard up on his back wall, which completely ruined his views over Westgate Fields!
The venerable Canon died in 1953 and his widow stayed on in the property until her death in 1974.
The Old Surgery
No 15 was converted into a doctor’s surgery in 1983 and used by Dr Bill Mallam until 2010 when the practice moved to Tangmere.
Sue Mallam writes:
“We married in May 1985 and held a family wedding luncheon in the back garden before a church blessing. We lived on the top two floors of this wonderful building until January 1987, when we moved to East Ashling. Westgate was still one of the main roads into the city centre with enormous lorries passing the front door, but the road calming scheme introduced later made an incredible difference.“
The house became known as the Old Surgery and In 2010 was converted back to a residence by Mr Peter Young. It is said to be haunted by a young lady in white, who comes down the stairs from the top bedrooms.
Richard Brownfield 2025