Does anyone know why Sir Simon’s Arcade is so called?
Staff at the Lancaster Reference Library and the City Museum have been unable to ascertain the origin. Can anyone help?
Winnie Clark:
Andrew White informs us that the name comes from Sir Simon Lovat, a Jacobite sympathiser, whose portrait was painted by Hogarth and who was executed in London. There was a pub called after him on roughly the site of the present Diggles which was the chief coaching inn of Lancaster, and the Arcade took the name of the pub.
Following the chain of correspondence here Diggles, have been in contact with us and the Civic Society is liaising with them.
The Committee will discuss this in January.
We have written to Diggles management asking them to re-instate the sign but have not yet received a reply. We will keep trying!
Winnie Clark
Hon. Secretary, Lancaster Civic Society
Why have Diggles been allowed to paint out the sign over the archway that used to say “Sir Simons Arcade”. There is now NO street sign which says the name of the thoroughfare except the one carved into the stonework of the Market Building at the other end of the arcade. This can not be read by motorists on the one way system. There should be a sign on the semi derelict Household Appliances shop on King Street. If Diggles won’t paint the name over the archway then the City Councill should a least erect a street name plate on the wall of the TSB.
Should the Civic Society first write politely to the Directors/Shareholders of Diggles and ask them to take the paint off the sign?
Yes, we agree that the Civic Society should write to Diggles and ask them to remove the paint. The sign should be in black and white, in old English style.