Gravesons

HERTFORD

TL3212NE MARKET PLACE 817-1/17/115 (North side) 10/02/50 Nos.10 AND 11 Gravesons

GV II

Includes: No.8 SALISBURY SQUARE. House, now department store. Early C18, with C19 and later alterations. Timber-framed and plastered, stuccoed ground floor, right-hand roof end hipped, all now concrete tiled above coved eaves cornice. EXTERIOR: 6 bay south elevation to Market Place, with windows paired in a slightly irregular spacing; 3 bay right flank (east) elevation to Salisbury Square. 3 storeys and attics. First floor (south) has 6 slightly recessed 12-pane sash windows with projecting moulded architraves; second floor has two 12-pane flush-set sash windows to left, the remainder slightly recessed. Rusticated quoins at ends of elevation. Ground floor has continuous late C19 shop front, with modified plate glass windows, panelled pilasters and consoles at left and right, with canted fascia, blind box and moulded cornice at first floor sill level. Right flank (east) elevation has 3 flush set first-floor windows with moulded projecting architraves, (with plain glazing and upper light above transom, replacing sashes). Second floor with 3 flush set 12-pane sashes. Ground floor has late C19 shopfront across width of 3 windows above, modified plate glazing, fascia with scrolls and panels below left and right first-floor windows, and moulded cornice. Moulded plaster cornice either side lines with lower edge of fascia, stuccoed walls with rusticated quoins at outer corners, and stucco plinth lining with stallriser. 3 box casement dormers (centre 3 light) on front, 1 on right-hand flank facing Salisbury Square. INTERIOR: largely remodelled and opened out to create retail showrooms, and remaining structure covered with shopfittings. Rear (north) wall on ground and first floors opened out into late C19 extension on site of Nos 1 & 3 Maidenhead Street (qv). HISTORICAL NOTE: the drapery trade in Hertford was dominated by the Pollards, Robinsons and Gravesons, all Quaker families, from the turn of the C18/19. By the end of the century Graveson and Robinson had joined forces, and in 1899 William and Alfred Graveson took full control, shortly after the new premises on the corner of Maidenhead Street and Salisbury

Square had been built (Nos 1 & 3 Maidenhead Street, (qv)). (Green L: Hertford's Past in pictures: Ware: 1993-: 112-3).

Listing NGR: TL3266412620