Chippenham, the Market Place 1955

This view was taken looking south to the Bear Hotel at the top end of the car park. The new Bear Hotel was built some time after 1750 by John Provis, a painter, and leased out. In the late 19th century the hotel was run by S Buckle - this is where Joe Buckle, a well-known Chippenham trader, was born. The Bear Hotel was a much-visited restaurant in the 1960s and 70s, but it became rather run-down and lost most of its clientele. It has re-opened following renovation and cleaning.