Passageway by Barclays Bank, 59 High Street

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 6 Feb 2010

Number 59 High Street didn't become a bank until 1905, and later it became part of Barclays Bank. During the period of around 1690 to 1836, it was an inn or pub known as The Red Lion. Afterwards it was used for shops until it became bank premises. The passage shown in the photo would appear to date from the building's use as The Red Lion. It is entered through what appears to be a carriage arch by the side of the bank, and the first part is covered by the building's upper storeys. This passage presumably was used to bring through coaches or certainly horses to the back, where there would have been stables. These are probably the buildings on the left, which have been converted for the use of two or three small businesses. These include the Newport Complementary Health Clinic. This view is taken looking in the direction of the High Street. Interestingly it seems that in medieval times there was some kind of pub or inn here called The Antelope. Presumably this was lost in the fire of 1665, which actually started on the site where Barclays Bank now is.

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