We really enjoy looking at these two photos of Frodsham's Church Street, taken about a century apart.

People passing in front of the shopfronts over the years will have seen changes rippling up and down the street as businesses have come and gone.

However, there is one feature that remains a constant no matter the era: the Bears Paw pub sitting across the junction with Main Street.

Built in 1632 on land owned by the Savage family of Rocksavage, the establishment was initially named 'The Lyon's Paw'.

Over several centuries and many thousands of guests, it has borne the titles of posting house, inn and railway hotel, and when the current Covid restrictions ease, it will continue its long tradition of playing host to the people of Frodsham and beyond.

As you can see from the black and white Church Street image, the Grade II listed Georgian building that hinges onto Main Street was once the setting for Proud and Pollard shop.

Having been used previously as a private school for boys, half of the building was taken over in the 1800s by John Guest Williams, who used it for his drapers shop.

Williams' business was eventually acquired by two of his apprentices, James Proud and Edwin Pollard, and the space, which now contains Cheshire Brides of Frodsham and Flowers by Jenny Penny, is still occasionally referred to as the 'Pollard buildings'.

Although not pictured in these photos, Church Street is also home to the Cholmondeley Arms pub, which was built in 1891, and previously known as the 'Albert Inn'.

The building has retained many of its original features, and looks much the same now as it did a hundred years ago!

Many thanks for Frodsham and District History Archive for the images used.

Information source: Frodsham Heritage 2005.