Years ago many European bridges had sidewalks and shops. Today the only bridge in England that still has shops on it is the Pulteney Bridge, built in 1773. It spans the River Avon in Bath, England.
The bridge, designed by Robert Adam is one of only four bridges in the world with shops on both sides across the full span. It is named after the heiress, Frances Pulteney, in 1767, who was heiress of Bathwick, an estate across the river from Bath. Bathwick was a simple village in a rural setting, but Frances's husband William could see its potential. He made plans to create a new town, which would become a suburb to the historic city of Bath. First he needed a better river crossing than the existing ferry, hence the bridge.
The Pulteney Bridge stood for less than 20 years in the form that Adam created. In 1792 alterations to enlarge the shops marred the elegance of the façades. Floods in 1799 and 1800 damaged the north side of the bridge, which had been constructed with inadequate support. It was rebuilt in a less ambitious version of Adam's design. During the 19th-century shopkeepers altered windows or cantilevered out over the river. The western end pavilion on the south side was demolished in 1903 for road widening and its replacement was not an exact match of the previous one.
I had some spare time so I walked the bridge for a look-see in the shops. Shop personnel were friendly and tried to answer my questions; the web filled in dates.
In 1936 the bridge became a national monument, with plans for the restoration of the original façade. I hope this means the nearly lost custom of old shop bridges will remain for years to come.
PS: The Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy is one of the other four bridges in the world with shops that I have visited. I missed the one in Florence, Italy and I’m not sure where the fourth bridge is located.
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