In 2022-23 Historic England commissioned several photographers to work with local communities to capture images representative of their local high streets. This formed part of the Picturing High Streets project. In Chester, Suzanne St Clare was commissioned as photographer. She wrote the following text to describe her work on the project: “My response to the residency was to work creatively with business owners trading on the historical Rows in Chester.
Initially we started by finding out about how these business owners came to Chester, their community, challenges, the quirkiness of independent trading and their love and passion for this beautiful, historic city...." Three sets of images were created as a result of the residency. Suzanne St Clare wrote the following text about this set: "In the second year, we took inspiration from photographers such as Gregory Crewdson and Julia Fullerton-Batten, who are known for their cinematic style and use of studio lights. Together we created a series of images that document the characters who make up the shops on the Rows. Most of those who took part would often speak of their dissatisfaction relating to what they felt was a lack of support, and how powerless they felt to be able to trade profitably. Yet they were the captains of their business, and from the outside what could look like positions of power. The intention of these images was to portray the traders in a way that acknowledged that status, where they looked powerful and showed the beauty of the Rows retail space and the detail of their surroundings in a positive and authentic way." The photographer wrote the following text about this image: "Uri Jacobi, owner, in shop window in front of green oriental carpet.
[Uri says:] 'I have been trading as an Oriental carpet specialist in Chester for 23 years. My family has been working in the business for three generations, acquiring rugs from the Far East, travelling to distant places, bringing rare examples of lost craftsmanship to the UK. My father originated from Persia and my mother from Russia and my family have lived and worked throughout Asia and the Middle East. My ancestors have passed their knowledge and wisdom down from generation to generation.
I find trading on the Rows suits my business although many supporting businesses have closed now. Chester used to have antique shops which was good for business as people would buy furniture and then come in here and buy a rug. I would like to see better shops in Chester as good shops draw people into the city. The rug in the photograph is unusual as green is not a colour that is used that often. In Muslim faith, the colour green is a holy colour and would be considered unsuitable to step on. Red, however, is a colour associated with well-being and the life force.
I am 73 and planning to be here for a few more years before I retire. I am happy here.'" Since this commission, the Rows Capital Improvements project has enhanced more than 100 properties associated with the Rows to improve access and footfall as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zones Programme. This has included improvements to the lighting, paintwork, balustrading and stall boards, investment in marketing the Rows as well as tours and other activities, and the production of a Business Guide aimed at local traders.
'Picturing England's High Streets' commision by Open Eye Gallery, Historic England and Photoworks.
This is part of the Job: HEC01/128/01/06/01 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Suzanne St Clare: Chester, Portraits of Traders; within the Volume: HEC01/128/01/06 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Suzanne St Clare: Chester; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/01 Picturing High Streets: Photographer Residencies; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Suzanne St Clare
Photographer: St Clare, Suzanne
People Posed
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