4 And 6, Friar Street

The building at 4 and 6 Friar Street comprises two cottages, now shops, likely dating from the late 16th century. It incorporates earlier materials and has undergone later alterations and restorations, particularly in the 1980s. The construction is timber frame with wattle and daub, stucco infill to the front facade, and brick nogging to the returns. It has a brick and stone plinth and a plain tile roof. A tall, square, unpainted stucco chimney stack sits centrally on the ridge, with a further stack to the rear.

The building plan consists of two bays, the northern bay being larger, possibly originally containing a chimney stack and stairs. The layout is L-shaped with a rear range at the left. It is two storeys high with two bays. The upper storey is jettied on exposed timbers, featuring small square timber-framed panels, some of which have been renewed with curved upper braces. The ground floor has entrances to the left and right, with a panelled door on the right and a glazed door on the left. Two multi-pane bow windows have been inserted into the front. The first floor features two pairs of casement windows set within framed openings. A Sun Fire Insurance mark is visible on the left-hand side.

Internally, extensive timber framing remains on side walls and dividing walls, with fireplaces set into the front party wall. These fireplaces have bressumer beams, while a fireplace in the rear room has a renewed beam. The first floor retains an abundance of timber framing with wattle and daub infill, including centre and end jowled posts to the front wall and a further jowled post to the rear wall, a massive wall plate to the front, diagonal braces, an axial beam in the centre, and queen struts. The partition wall retains remains of close studding. A 19th-century grate is located on the right-hand side of the front part of the building.

Historical records indicate the earliest deed for these properties dates from 1617, when two tenements were sold. Friar Street originally served as a rear access lane for buildings on High Street before the Franciscan Friary was established in 1235. The Friary occupied the stretch between numbers 11 and 25. The south end of the street was developed first, with plots from the mid-14th century, while plots at the north end date from the early 15th century. Many of the existing houses originate from the period following the Reformation, when the Friary was suppressed in 1539 and its property was sold by the Crown to the Corporation of Worcester, who subsequently used much of it for building materials. Building continued from around 1540, with modifications made to houses during the 17th century and the replacement of several older buildings in the 18th century. The street was predominantly inhabited by tradespeople, including weavers, clothiers, brewers, and innkeepers.