The Rowditch

(Written by Milly Wong)

It was the growth of Mills in Derby that led to the prosperity and popularity of the small business in Derby. This fast growth in trade which occurred at the end of the 19th century led to surrounding villages being overtaken by the town.

'The Rowditch', growing out of the junction of roads between the Roman 'Rykneld Way' and the much later main road leading to the town of Uttoxeter, was one of the first of these villages to be overtaken by Derby town.

During the 1850s, this row of shops stood outside the entrance to the Victorian Army Barracks of the Derbyshire Voluntary Rifle Corps. The entrance was by the church, therefore, the shops were in a prime position for trade.

Over the years, many strange sightings have been reported in and around the shops on this site by shopkeepers and employees. One sighting of a strange man wearing what has been described as a 'donkey jacket' walking through one of the work cellars and disappearing has been reported, as well as work tools moving by themselves.

Maybe this is the spirit of one of the many traders or workers that arived in Derby in search of prosperity and made the decision that he never intends to leave.

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The Rowditch - At the Uttoxeter
New Road junction looking towards
the direction of the city centre.