32, Broad Street

32 Broad Street is a building that likely served as a house and shop, and is now a shop with offices above. It was probably constructed in 1638 for John Watts, although it may have earlier origins. The facade was rebuilt in the late 18th century, with later additions and alterations, including a ground-floor shop front from the 1980s. The building is made of reddish-orange brick in Flemish bond, featuring dark-red gauged brick flat arches, stone sills, and copings. It has a concealed roof with end brick stacks that have oversailing courses and pots. The structure is three storeys high with three first-floor windows. The first and second floors have 6/6 sash windows, which are taller on the first floor and set in plain reveals. The shop front is a reproduction of a Victorian style, with a central glazed entrance, and there is an additional entrance on the left, which is a six-panel door with a three-pane overlight framed by pilaster strips.

The interior of the ground floor has been completely renewed, and the rest of the building was not inspected. Historically, by the 16th century, Broad Street was the second most important commercial street after High Street. It was a key route through the city from Worcester Bridge and housed several important traders and at least two inns. Some houses on Broad Street, including Nos 32, 40, 41, and 57, are known to have origins from the 17th century or earlier.

All the listed buildings on Broad Street form a significant group, including Nos 10, 10A, 11 with the Crown Inn, 12, 18, 19, 29, 32-36 (consecutive), 40, 41, 43-49 (consecutive), 51-63 (consecutive), 69, 70, and the Church of All Saints. Nos 29, 32-36 and the Church form a further group with Nos 2-22 on Bridge Street and No. 2 on Quay Street.