53, 53A, 55, HIGH STREET

This building comprises a house, now two shops and a house. It likely dates to the 17th century or earlier, with alterations occurring in two phases during the 18th century and a further change in the 19th century. A 20th-century recessed shopfront was added to number 55. The construction is timber-framed, with plaster walls and steep roofs covered in old red tiles. The building has a U-plan, facing east onto the High Street. A rear wing is located at the southwest (number 53A), accessible via a narrow passage from the street through the front range, and another wing extends to the northwest.

The front of the building is divided into two sections. The southern part (number 53) has three upper-floor windows, set beneath a prominent eaves cornice. The windows are square-headed flush box sashes, with molded architraves and 6/6 panes. A good quality early 19th-century shopfront features paired pilasters, a full entablature, central double-glazed doors, and multiple shop windows. The northern part (number 55) features three upper-floor windows also beneath the same cornice, with segmental headed sashes similar to number 53, but incorporating keystones. The recessed shopfront is set behind two iron posts under a simple fascia, with double-glazed doors and shop windows over a brick stallriser. A central chimney was removed from the front range, positioned roughly a third of the way from the southern end. Internal gable chimneys are present at each end of the building.