78, High Street

This is a three-story house, likely originating in the early 17th century, with significant later additions and alterations. Around 1750, and again in 1921 by L.L. Bussault of Birmingham for The Shakespeare Café, work was carried out. The building is primarily brick, showing remnants of original timber framing on the interior. Decorative timber framing is applied to the upper storeys, and it has a plain tile roof. The front features two first-floor windows.

The ground floor has a modern shop front and central entrance. The first floor has applied timbering in a lozenge motif, while the second floor features smaller box frames. A decorative gable to the front includes diagonal struts. A pair of three-light mullion windows with two levels of transoms are located on the first floor. These windows have a four-centred arched upper section containing stained glass depicting the coats of arms of local notable figures and the see of Worcester. Pilaster strips flank the windows and run between them, topped with a decorative frieze. The second floor has two two-light mullion and transom windows with small leaded lights, some of which are coloured. Dormer windows with hipped roofs and diamond-light casements are situated on either side of the decorative gable. The rear of the building retains some original 8/8 and 3/3 sash windows. A 4/8 sash has been renewed.

Inside, the attic has square panels of timber framing on the gable end, along with trenched purlins and what appear to be 17th-century roof trusses. Original plank doors and wide floorboards remain in the attic. The first floor retains original joinery, including fluted architraves with an antheaemon motif to the upper corners. A beam in the front room has an ovolo moulding, and a white marble fireplace is also present. A moulded cornice with paterae is found in the rear room. The staircase rising from the first to the second floor has slender "rod-on-vase" balusters with square knops, a closed string, and a moulded handrail. The second floor features a Victorian cast-iron fireplace and a four-panel door. A fireplace with a chamfered bressumer is located in the basement.

Historically, the building was a toy shop in 1790, operated by May Wilson. By 1796, it was a bakery run by Mrs. Mary Nelmes, who later became "pastry cook to their Majesties" after a royal visit in 1788. It functioned as a bakery under Henry Mountford in 1815, and later as Samuel Hooper Mountford’s “Grand Luncheon and Dining Rooms” in 1861. In 1885, it was a shop for John Gee, selling glass and china. The building was converted into The Shakespeare Café in 1921, prompting the façade alterations.