Guildhall

The Guildhall, now being converted into shops, was built in 1867 by G B Nichols in a Classical style. It is constructed of sandstone and sits on a sloping site. The building is of two storeys, separated by an entablature, and includes a basement on the left-hand side. It has six bays, with the outer bays projecting and flanked by pilasters; the remaining bays are divided by engaged columns, Doric on the ground floor and Composite above. The ground floor is rusticated. The windows have round heads, moulded imposts, and angle shafts; those on the ground floor feature carved masks, while those above have keystones. A left-hand bay contains two windows, one above the other, both with flat heads. A narrow second bay has a doorway with a stepped keystone and an oeil-de-boeuf above. The first floor has a niche designed for a statue. The right-hand bay incorporates a doorway with a round head, moulded imposts, and a mask. The return wall facing Goodall Street is of three bays and treated similarly, with first-floor bays divided by Doric pilasters.