Barclay'S Bank

Barclay's Bank, located at 28 Knight Street, is a building dating from around 1730, featuring a show front that was added to an older structure. It has been altered and extended in the last century. The north gable is plastered, and it has a steep old tile roof that is likely 17th century timber-framed, with an external gable chimney on the south side. The building has a two-storey, parapeted red brick front, with the north flank wall of the front block dating to approximately 1730. There is an extensive red brick rear wing with a tiled roof, probably built around 1900 and later.

The front facade has five windows made of red brick, accented with lighter rubbed and moulded brick dressings. It features giant order pilasters at each end, with moulded bases and caps, a returned architrave, frieze, cornice, and a projecting panel in the parapet above. The cornice runs across the elevation, breaking forward at each pilaster. A moulded brick band at floor level returns before the pilaster, and there is a plain projecting plinth. All windows have gauged segmental arches, and the central window above the door has relief rustication. The slightly recessed sash windows have 6/6 panes and segmental heads for both the frame and upper sash. The ground floor windows have been renewed with horns and square heads to the frames, along with projecting wooden cills.

The broad wooden doorcase features rusticated Doric pilasters, a full entablature, and a flat moulded hood with a small ogee hipped metal roof above. This facade is a sophisticated architectural composition and showcases exceptional brick craftsmanship. It is illustrated by Nathaniel Lloyd in his book "A History of English Brickwork" published in 1928. Similar contemporary facades can be found at 40 Knight Street, 11 Bell Street, and the White Lion Public House on London Road.