1-7 Station Street

This is a former woollen warehouse and shops dating from the early to mid-19th century, now used as shops and offices. The building is situated along Station Street and forms the return elevation of the larger Estate Buildings complex, which includes 20-26 Westgate to the south and 1-11 Railway Street to the west.

The building is constructed of ashlar sandstone to the front facade and coursed hammer-dressed stone to the side and rear elevations, with stone-slate roof coverings. It is four storeys high plus a basement, and comprises seven bays. The eastern elevation has a moulded eaves cornice and a moulded cornice above the ground floor, with a string course above the second floor. The bays contain two-over-two sash windows, with those on the third floor being round-arched, featuring sunk aprons and moulded lintels. The ground floor now accommodates modern shops, separated by a double-leaf door with four moulded panels and an overlight with a fluted frieze, which leads to a passageway. The rear elevation has five bays, displaying a distinct straight joint that separates the building into two sections, with a different style of window and stonework to the top floor. A modern fire escape is also present.

Inside, a stone staircase rises from between the shops, and a timber dog-leg staircase located in the south-west corner connects the upper floors. The building is divided by a spine wall running east to west, corresponding with the straight joint visible on the rear elevation. Historic windows, plank-and-batten and panelled doors have been retained, along with picture rails and tongue-and-groove partitions on the third floor. The ceilings on the first and second floors feature large pine bridging beams with chamfers, run-out stops, and merchants’ marks indicating a Baltic origin. The third floor is open to the roof and shows exposed softwood roof trusses.