Local historian Bobby Owen talks about Denbigh town centre and the changes over the years in three short films as part of a project called Then & Now...
Lenten Pool - view film Transcript: In this scene taken about 100 years ago we're looking down Bridge Street into Lenten Pool. The building in the distance is the old Hand Inn before it was renovated in 1924. This is one of the pubs frequented by Twm o'r Nant, the famous Welsh writer. The area before the inn is known as Lenten Pool. In this area during Elizabethan times water was dammed and was used to breed fish which was to be eaten during Lent when the eating of meat was forbidden. The building on the left, which is currently the language centre, was originally the free reading rooms. Here the unemployed and elderly were free to go and read newspapers and magazines. They also had the opportunity of having a bath which cost them one hapenny. High Street - view film Transcript: This is a picture of the High Street as it would have looked 100 years ago. The main building featured is that of County Hall, originally commissioned by Robert Dudley who was, of course, the lover of Elizabeth I. On the left you can see part of the Piazza, the unique feature on Denbigh High Street where the upper floors of the building is supported by pillars. It's a very convenient place for people to shelter in times of inclement weather. The nature of the shopping in Denbigh has changed completely within the last 100 years. The architecture is very much the same but the trades conducted from them are very different. 100 years ago you would have seen a dozen inns, nine draper's shops, four shoe shops and a number of other trades that have long since vanished. Denbigh Piazza - view film Transcript: Here's another view of the High Street looking towards the West. This gives you an indication of the length of the Piazza where the upper stories are supported by pillars. This is still an area where people shelter in inclement weather. To the side you can see the old Town Cross which was moved in 1923 to Lenten Pool thus making way for the war memorial in Town Square commemorating the fallen in the First and Second World Wars.
Local historian Bobby Owen talks about Denbigh town centre and the changes over the years in three short films as part of a project called 
In this scene taken about 100 years ago we're looking down Bridge Street into Lenten Pool. The building in the distance is the old Hand Inn before it was renovated in 1924. This is one of the pubs frequented by Twm o'r Nant, the famous Welsh writer. The area before the inn is known as Lenten Pool. In this area during Elizabethan times water was dammed and was used to breed fish which was to be eaten during Lent when the eating of meat was forbidden. The building on the left, which is currently the language centre, was originally the free reading rooms. Here the unemployed and elderly were free to go and read newspapers and magazines. They also had the opportunity of having a bath which cost them one hapenny. 