Georgian - 18th Century (1714 - 1836)

Because of the decline in industry in Worcester, the more specialised careers became more prominent. Doctors, Teachers and Lawyers were not in short supply. Many mansions and grand houses were built. Whilst Churches (Cathedral had £7000 worth of work between 1712 and 1715) were restored and other important buildings appeared such as the Worcester General Infirmary on Castle Street (1771), the grand Guildhall building on the High Street (built between 1721 and 1727) and the present town bridge (which replaced the original medieval bridge). In actual fact much of Worcester's existing architecture lends itself to the Georgian era.

Worcester saw an economy where money seemed to be free flowing and easily made. The Racecourse at Pitchcroft 1718 and the development of large areas of parkland were testament to this. This was the story for the privileged, the poverty stricken underclasses which made up the majority of the populous appeared to be as poor as ever, and in an attempt to address this the Worcester Porcelain Works were created (1751) to address unemployment. Gloving also appeared and continued to be one of Worcester's key industries for many years (The Fownes Hotel was originally one of the main factories).

Above: Laslett's Almshouses, formerly a prison opened in 1824.

Above: The Guildhall