Abbey Arcade Heritage

The Abbey Arcade is located at the southern end of the High Street, opposite the Burton Market Hall and market place. The building takes its name from the Burton Abbey gatehouse that was demolished in 1927 to open up the market place and create a new focal point for Burton.

Abbey Arcade late 1930s — Early photo of the Abbey Arcade, date unknown, the car in the foreground suggests late 1930s

The Abbey Arcade was completed in the 1930s, in the most modern and exciting style of the period, now known as Art Deco. The proprietor was a Mr John Henry Birch, co-founder of Robirch, a successful manufacturer of all kinds of pork products. The building remains in the ownership of his descendants.

Mr John Henry Birch — Mr J. H. Birch, died in February 1945, aged 70

Did you know the Abbey Arcade has been a meeting and trading place for 1,000 years. A royal charter was granted on 12 April 1200 by King John to the Abbot to hold a market in Burton every Thursday.