Runcorn Memories: 1822 Directory shows growing stature of Runcorn

By Runcorn And Widnes Weekly News on Jul 30, 09 01:39 PM in 1800-1899

AS we near the end of the first decade of the 21st century, it's hard to imagine that Runcorn was an 'obscure' village.

Believed to be the oldest directory with detailed reference to Runcorn, the Pigot London and Provincial New Commercial Directory, published in 1822 contained details from 280 towns in Cheshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Hereford, Lancashire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, etc.

A copy of the Runcorn section was kindly supplied by Runcorn Historical Society archivist Alex Cowan and my thanks for other directories are also due to David Toft, of Moughland Lane, and Alan Andrews, a member of the history society, and now living in Northwich.

The 1822 Pigot Directory included 'professional gentlemen, academics', a host of shopkeepers and a listing featuring several inns and taverns.

The directory said that, before the completion of the Bridgewater Canal, Runcorn, had 'decayed' but the canal brought with it a considerable increase in the number of dwelling houses, inns and shops for the accommodation of numerous workmen 'and other persons attending the vast basins or reservoirs of water which supplied the canal'.
"The trade of the place has of late increased so much", the directory noted, "that government has established a custom house and proclaimed it a free port.

"It has also lately become a place of resort for salt water bathing; the fine air, the pleasantness of the neighbourhood, (particularly Halton Castle) and the exhilarating effects of the busy scene upon the river, constituting useful auxiliaries to the effects of the bath."

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