The corridor in Bath

Bombed by the IRA
In 1974 the Corridor was bombed by the IRA. The damage was huge, forcing the Corridor to undergo the biggest renovation program in its 175 year history.

The fashion for arcades spread and the concept was taken up by Henry Edmund Goodridge, the son of a successful Bath builder.Henry became an architect in the 1820’s, and was chosen by the eccentric William Beckford, to design a spectacular tower in Landsdown to give him a panoramic view of the countryside. It was thought that this commission supported Goodridge in his building of the corridor.

Floral decorations 1905

Corridor 1895

Architect Henry Edmund Goodridge - History of Bath

Goodridge architect in Bath

The Corridor now

Back in 1780 shopping arcades became fasionable in Paris. It took another 40 years before they reached England, with the first to start in London in 1820 with the Burlington Arcade.

The Family dispute
A few years after Goodridge’s widow died his will lead to a huge family dispute, which had to be resolved by the Chancery Court. The judgement by the Chancery resulted in the sale of the Corridor in 1877.
Many existing tenants purchased their shops and a management committee was formed. A constable was appointed for the security for opening the Corridor gates in the morning and closing them at night. The last constable retired in 1965.

Architect Henry Edmubd Goodridge - History of Bath

After Goodridge died in 1864, his heirs decided to update the structure. The low piched roof was replaced by a semi circular glass roof, with polished Aberdeen columns replacing the old ones, the Georgian glazed shop fronts were replaced by plate glass.

The Corridor was built by Goodridge and hailed as a great success when it opened on the 12^th October 1825. The opening was attended by 5000 people.

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