7 And 8, Mealcheapen Street

Nos. 7 and 8 Mealcheapen Street is a former inn, now used as shops with offices above. It dates back to 1765, with later additions and alterations, including shop fronts from around the 1980s. The building is constructed of reddish-brown brick in Flemish bond, featuring brick eaves, stone sills, and keystones, topped with a plain tile roof, and is likely timber framed.

The exterior consists of three storeys plus attics, with five first-floor windows arranged in a 3:2 pattern. The windows are 6/6 near-flush sashes with flat arches made of gauged brick and central raised keystones, along with sills. A modillion eaves band crowns the building. There are two roof dormers with hipped roofs that contain casement windows. The ground floor features Victorian-style shop fronts with glazed windows and entrances, along with an additional entrance to the right that is a board door.

Inside, the building retains the original staircase leading from the first floor. Historically, it was owned by the Dean and Chapter and rented out. Originally known as The Red Lion Inn, it was developed by the Cooke family around the 1650s and was rebuilt from the ground level after a fire in 1765. Mealcheapen Street thrived particularly in the 16th and early 17th centuries as a retail area, benefiting from its proximity to the Cornmarket, which contributed to its prosperity and the establishment of several large inns.

All the listed buildings in Mealcheapen Street are part of a group with the listed buildings in Cornmarket and the Church of St Swithun on Church Street.