An archaeological watching brief was undertaken at Berrows House, Worcester, Worcestershire (NGR SO 84130 55179). It was commissioned by David Norman of the Estate Services department of the University of Worcester, prior to converting the building from a newspaper office and printing/publishing place (Class E/B2) to an education/academic space (Class F1). Planning permission has been granted subject to a programme of archaeological works. The site is located to the west of Worcester City Centre, on the western bank of the River Severn and within the historic floodplain and covers approximately 0.5 hectares. It is largely occupied by a single building, the former offices and printing press of Worcester News, with associated access roads, carparking and hardstanding. During the watching brief new drainage trenches and new lift shaft trenches were monitored but no significant archaeological remains were identified. The ground level across the site has been raised by 2m-3m during the post-war period, probably recently before Berrows House was constructed in the early 1960s. Auger holes extending below these modern levelling deposits identified organic alluvial clays at approximately 4m below ground level. These may be infilling prehistoric palaeochannels previously identified to the south of the site. The site is located to the west of Worcester City Centre, on the western bank of the River Severn and within the historic floodplain and covers approximately 0.5 hectares. It is largely occupied by a single building, the former offices and printing press of Worcester News, with associated access roads, carparking and hardstanding. During the watching brief new drainage trenches and new lift shaft trenches were monitored but no significant archaeological remains were identified. The ground level across the site has been raised by 2m-3m during the post-war period, probably recently before Berrows House was constructed in the early 1960s. Auger holes extending below these modern levelling deposits identified organic alluvial clays at approximately 4m below ground level. These may be infilling prehistoric palaeochannels previously identified to the south of the site.
Andrew Mann (Sat,) studied this question.