Preston - 33 Market Place

As you look at the modern shops fronts on the west side of Preston's Flag Market it immediately becomes apparent that Thomas Yates the Jewellers is a rare gem squeezed between some rather bland, modern buildings.   Built circa 1580, this timber framed  building has the distinction of being the oldest shop in Preston.

For over four centuries this building has watched the market square transformed.  It is a Grade II listed building which started life as a town mansion, and by the 1690’s was the home for the town’s surgeon, Dr. Wortton.  The mansion used to be much larger including numbers 34 and 35, but when Dr. Wortton left it was split into three properties.    So began four hundred years of housing various traders at number 33 Market Place.  These included Straw Hat Manufacturers, Painters & Glaziers, Fruiterers, Drapers, Grocers, Coffee and Wine Dealers, Engravers & Copper Plate Printers, Basket & Skip Manufacturers, Chemists, Fish, Fowl & Poultry Merchant, Linen & Wool Drapers, Tobacconists and finally a Jewellers.

Thomas Yates the Jewellers

Thomas Yates (1811-1892) opened his own watchmaker’s shop on Friargate in 1840, and traded in Preston through most of Queen Victoria’s reign.  Thomas was famous for inventing the slow beat lever in watches in 1846.

The business has continued since then with various locations and owners, and moved into these premises in 1983.   Thus one of the oldest businesses in Preston is now housed in the oldest shop in Preston.

From the FREE tour of Preston Flag Market on www.obelisktours.co.uk