Modest

I have never paid any attention to this building in the past. Probably because I have taken more interest in the wonderful cathedral which stands across the road from it.

It was built in around 1300 as a chapel for Simon de Albo the Abbot and then it became the parish church of St Oswald. In 1488 when it ceased to be a church it was handed over to Mayor and Assembly, another floor was added and it became the Commonhall and then the Wool Hall.

From around 1750 the building was used to stage plays. It underwent further conversion and from 1773 became the New Theatre and then the Theatre Royal in 1778.

In 1854 it was modified again, including the addition of the Gothic style front, into a hall for concerts and was known as the Music Hall. The architect responsible for this conversion, John Harrison, played an important part in the revival of the half timbered buildings in Chester and the building, re-building and restoration of many churches in and around Chester.

Charles Dickens performed in the Music Hall in 1867.

Today it is a branch of Superdrug.