Number 19 Street

Number 19 Northgate Street was constructed around 1900 as a shop above a medieval undercroft. It is part of the group of buildings known as ‘Shoemakers’ Row’ (numbered 3 to 31 Northgate Street), rebuilt between 1897 and 1909. This redevelopment addressed insanitary conditions and incorporated a renewed interest in vernacular style, alongside a municipal road widening project in the late 19th century. The building was likely designed by John Douglas, senior partner of Douglas and Minshull architects, and exemplifies the Vernacular Revival style. Douglas was responsible for several other buildings within Shoemakers’ Row and developed numbers 5 to 9 Northgate Street himself. The rebuilding of Shoemakers’ Row lowered the ‘Row’ element to just above street level, with the medieval undercrofts remaining as cellars beneath.

The building is constructed of sandstone and timber-frame, with plaster panels and a grey-green slate roof. It is three storeys high, incorporating a former undercroft now used as a cellar. The Row is at ground level, two steps above the pavement, and features an arcade of three bays with two slender Tuscan columns of painted sandstone between antae. The second storey rests on a plain bressumer with a moulded fascia. Above this are narrow, braced plaster panels, and a central oriel window of six lights with moulded mullions and transoms. The end lights form quadrants, with the two central lights projecting forward as a semi-circular bow, and each side has a transomed sidelight. The third storey is jettied on carved brackets and has braced panels, with two canted oriel windows of five lights, each featuring moulded mullions on central brackets. Above each oriel is a jettied gable containing two ornate quatrefoil panels and moulded bargeboards. The rear elevation is of brick. The rear stockroom at Row level displays medieval stonework. The undercroft is not easily accessible and was not inspected during the survey.