159, BRIGGATE

No. 159 Briggate is a shop and warehouse that has been converted into a restaurant. It dates from the mid-18th century and incorporates a 17th-century roof structure. The building's frontage was rebuilt in the mid-19th century, with attic storey detailing added in the late 19th century, and it underwent restoration in 1989. The exterior is constructed of brick, rendered, and features terracotta details, likely topped with a slate roof. The Briggate frontage consists of three storeys and an attic, while the rear range has three storeys and five bays. The ground floor has been updated in the 20th century, providing access to the rear on the left side. The second and attic storeys are adorned with architraves, scrolled pediments, moulded plaques, and urn finials.

Inside the rear range, it is reported that there is an important roof structure featuring three king-post roof trusses. These trusses include jointing for timber-framed side walling on the underside of the tie beam, with one truss having slots for a cross-wall. The remaining elements suggest that this roof structure was reused in this context and represents a rare survival of part of a house in the town centre before significant rebuilding occurred in the mid to late 18th century. Historically, the building was recorded as a hotel in 1740 and as both a hotel and tavern in 1800. The rear yard was known as Bower's Yard, and the premises were owned by a wallpaper hanger and factor from around 1870.