12 And 14, High Street

Nos. 12 and 14 High Street is a house erected in the 18th century and converted to two shops in the mid-19th century. It is built of brick, now colour washed, with a slate-covered gabled roof on two levels and a central brick ridge stack, which is truncated.

The street front range is rectangular in plan, with ranges extending from the rear of both No. 12 and No. 14. The main elevation is two storeys high and comprises two bays with a further short bay adjoining at an angle, which stands on King Edward's Road.

The upper floor is lit by early to mid-19th century hung sash windows with moulded architraves. Those on High Street are 8 over 8, while those on King Edward's Road are 6 over 6. The sashes are not horned, except for the left window which has later sashes within an earlier architrave. At ground-floor level there are two mid-19th century shop fronts with foliate console brackets above plain piers, fitted with modern doors and large plate glass windows. To the right is a large mid to late 19th century 8 over 8 shop window. To the rear is an early 19th century reeded window frame, probably with later 8 over 8 glazing bars.

Internally, No. 14 has been opened up at ground-floor level and few interior fittings of historic interest survive in the main body. However, in an addition to the rear a mid-19th century cast-iron fireplace survives along with a 19th century door with small-pane lights. At the upper level no fireplaces survive, and a partition separates the High Street element of No. 14 from the added bay on King Edward's Road. On the line of the partition there are boxed-in attic stairs providing access to the roof over the High Street section of No. 14. The door into the boxed-in attic stairs has 18th century H hinges and a sprung latch, which may be reused if the stair was reconfigured when the King Edward's Road bay was added in the 19th century or when the property was divided. Nevertheless, their presence indicates that the building has 18th century origins. The interior of No. 12 was not inspected.

The building was erected as a single property in the 18th century in a prominent location close to the market place and the church. It was converted to two shops in the mid-19th century, coinciding with the revival of the market in 1834 and a period of growth in the town as an agricultural and shopping centre. Map evidence indicates that No. 12 was extended to the rear between 1888 and 1902. The building has group value with listed buildings possessing 19th century shop fronts at Nos. 8 and 8A High Street.