Sir Isaacs Secrets

One of the most interesting parts of Colchester are the small, tucked away secret history bits dotted about the town. Even after growing up here, I still see fascinating little snippets of information everywhere that I'd never noticed before - even when they're hidden in plain sight. 

One of these I spotted whilst doing some pre-emptive Christmas shopping. A little, tarnished plaque on a shopfront gives a much more interesting story to an otherwise ordinary cobblers. 

This Doorway has been retained in the interest of preserving the history of Colchester. It is thought to date from about 1500ad, and it seems likely that even at that time this building was being used as a shop which was probably of a similar size and shape to our present shop. E.S.R Services

The building, retained by ESR Services, is a Grade II listed building at No.1 Sir Isaacs Walk, with a wooden windowframe kept in the original height and position of the 1500 AD shop that previously existed. The brass plaque is rather unobtrusive and well below eye height, but its presence tells us that for at least five hundred years, Colchestrians have been walking and shopping around that area at the junction of Eld Lane, Sir Isaacs Walk and Trinity Street.

To add to this historic shopping area, I particularly love this postcard circa 1892, with the owner listed as William Gill, Photographer, North Light Studio, Sir Isaacs Walk. Imagine all the fashionable ladies and gentleman who came through here to have their photo taken with Mr Gill. Where was this one heading to? About to make his way in the world on his Grand Tour, perhaps?