Site:  

14 - 15 Church Green East, Town Centre

Grid Reference:    

SP 0418 6768

Description:

Row of five shops with residential accommodation above, now in commercial use.

Dated 1887 with mid and late 20th century alterations. Brick in English bond, partly painted, with plain tiled roof and large panelled brick stack with moulded capping. 5 bays with gable above central bay. 3 storeys with coved plaster cornice. Ground floor retains fascia boards and pilastered surrounds of original shop fronts but all have 20th century plate-glass windows and entrance doors. First floor has canted oriel windows with hipped slate roofs and 4-pane sashes in main openings; central window is a modern replacement. Second floor has 4-pane sashes but the 3 bays from the right have modern replacements. Central gable has decorative timberwork and moulded bargeboards

Significance:

This row of Victorian shops is a rare survival of its type in the town centre, particularly as all five shops were designed as part of a single unit. They provide a clear indication of the surge of development that occurred within the town centre during the late Victorian period. Although of no great architectural distinction individually, as a group they make a significant impact upon their surroundings and their first-floor oriel windows impart a pleasing rhythm along Church Green East. They retain their original shop fronts which are carefully related to the upper floors in contrast to the many unsympathetic modern shop fronts in the town centre that have detracted from its character and sense of place.

History:

This building........