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Preamble
Alcester had several printers throughout the 19th cent; from the 1790’s ("Warwickshire Printers"--Dugdale Society) Hemming family, followed by Johnsons, had a press in a malthouse behind no. 9, High St. , Alcester (local deeds and handbills) but there is no sign of this now. Another press was on Priory Road, probably in a demolished building near the present Coulter’s Garage, with proprietors William Russen c. 1828 and Robarts in the 1860’s. The main printing house was Wrights (v. below A23). 1864 was a busy year for not only did Wright’s "Alcester Chronicle" start but Robarts published "The Alcester Local Times" and "The Alcester Gazette" also began (site unknown) . The two latter had short lives (copies in Stratford Record Office). Other printers have been noticed but their locations are unknown, Two earlier newspapers "The Stratford, Shipston and Aulcester Journal" and "The Shipston and Aulcester Weekly Journal" were printed c. 1750 but it is not thought that they were printed locally. 19th cent Directories show little printing activity elsewhere in our area.
| Ref. | Location | Ordnance Survey | Notes |
| A 23 | High Street | SP 090574 | "Alcester Chronicle" and general printing works; "Chronicle" from 1864 but printing probably from 1850 (Edward Wright) ; 1920’s bought by "Redditch Indicator"; ceas ed printing 1940 on death of A. J. Gwinnett. Now Barclay’s Bank; no printing remains but indications of a bakery. From 1888 works were powered by gas engine (Gas Co. minutes CR0) |