What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to continuously monitor groundworks to identify and document any archaeological remains at the site.

May 24, 2026Open Access

Archaeological Watching Brief at 26a Church Street, Ormskirk

Key Points

The aim is to continuously monitor groundworks to identify and document any archaeological remains at the site.
Conducted archaeological watching brief throughout groundworks from June 2024.
Monitored activities including ground reduction, foundation excavation, and installation of utilities.
Excavated five foundation trenches with a grid layout to assess previous structures and ground conditions.
Discovered multiple archaeological surfaces likely dating to the Industrial period, associated with the Market Cross Public House.
Identified a potential courtyard area made from cut stone setts and a partition kerbstone.
Partially exposed a black mortar surface with fragments of 20th-century stoneware drainage pipe.

Abstract

An archaeological watching brief was conducted at 26a Church Street, Ormskirk, West Lancashire by Archaeological Research Services Ltd (ARS Ltd) on behalf of Scorpion Special Services Ltd during June 2024. The fieldwork comprised the continuous monitoring of all groundworks within the mitigation area required to prepare the site for development. Key phases included clearance, topsoil and subsoil stripping, ground reduction, excavation of foundations, and insertion of utilities/drains. The watching brief monitored the demolition of concrete slabs and a ring beam associated with foundations from a structure related to the Market Cross Public House. Five foundation trenches, between 8.10m and 10.75m in length, ca. 0.85-1.05m in width and no more than ca. 0.70m in depth, were excavated via machine, running both northeast-southwest and northwest-southeast in a grid. This trench plan was put in place by the Client to prepare foundation trenches, establish the spread of the previous concrete and steel foundations and to test ground conditions. During these works a small number of archaeological surfaces were discovered to the north east extent of the area on a broadly northeast-southwest orientation. There were five types of surface in this series, which were probably no earlier than Industrial in date judging from typology, datable finds and 1851 and 1892 Ordinance Survey Maps. The surfaces to the northeast most likely relate to the use of the public house: a sill or kerbstone (that created a partition) and a central surface of cut stone in setts, which makes up a possible courtyard. This series then ended with a small surface comprised of handmade red bricks in Flemish bond which aligns with OS maps showing previous court housing in the area during the Industrial Period. Lastly, during the investigation of the steel ring beams and concrete foundation, a black mortar metalled surface was partially exposed, revealing also fragments of 20th century stoneware drainage pipe

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