The Winchester Scene 1967 - Trust Annual Report 1967
The new car park in Sussex Street, with the extension of the County Council offices above, is nearing completion, while on the South side of the Westgate the foundations of the new law courts are being prepared. One can walk in the centre of the city quite unaware of these changes, but from St. Giles' Hill they brood heavily over the older parts of the city.
Number 79 High Street has gone at last. Illustrated in our report of 1963, it was long the concern of the Trust but alas it could not be saved.
The re-development of the Brooks area proceeds slowly on its undistinguished way. Nobody is likely to visit the Brooks area to see what a modern town should look like. On the contrary, they will hurry away from the new part of Winchester and the central car park, so that they can enjoy the real Winchester they have heard about or already know. While this situation continues, how important that we should preserve what we have, while making sure that what is new is fitting.
The front of the India Arms has been altered, and although this has been tactfully done, nevertheless it is a pity that the one remaining inn, with an arch tall enough to take a stage coach, has disappeared. Developers have had an eye on this site for some time. Let us hope that other plans for the use of this site involving demolition have been abandoned once and for all.
Our thanks are also due to Messrs. Boots who have retained the gable over the new extension to their shop in the High Street.