The West End – WESTGATE CHICHESTER

The West End: who lived in your house?

Due to their fairly recent date, finding information about the properties in the 1930s development of Westgate, and the former industrial sites in the side streets, has proved a challenge. Except for the few that were built in earlier times. The censuses stop at 1921 and we have not trawled the electoral rolls for privacy reasons.

However, we are endeavouring to write up as much of this recent history as is made available. This stops around 1950 to reduce or avoid invading the privacy of current residents.

History of 68 Westgate

These notes on the history of this property are by Anne Sparrow. Historic references are in bold to assist further research.

“When we bought No. 68 Westgate, on the deeds it was noted that it was originally called ‘Westgate Close’ [also “Crantock” in Kelly’s directory 1938 – RNB]. The name appeared on the wooden gate that was seldom used, owing to the regular use by our two cars, which were accommodated in an unusual double garage beneath an adjoining flat.

History of 64 Westgate

Built about 1935 and originally called ‘Pantiles’, this property is situated on one of several parcels of land between Salthill Road and Westgate which had originally belonged to the brewer, George Henty.

We have recorded elsewhere, that in 1780 the founder of the Brewery, William Humphrey (Snr), had bought land in Scuttery Fields (of which you may not know today’s Brewery Field remains a rump), to build some malthouses.

History of 80 Westgate

Based on an article originally researched and compiled by Paula Chatfield of Parklands RA for her excellent Easter Trail series and published here by permission.

Always known as Westfield House, this is one of our older local buildings, built in the 1700s and extended in the early 1800s. When it was built, it was in the parish of New Fishbourne and not in Chichester at all!

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