19 And 20, Abbeygate Street

BURY ST EDMUNDS

TL8564SW ABBEYGATE STREET 639-1/14/130 (North side) 12/07/72 Nos.19 AND 20

GV II

A pair of shops with flats above, formerly a single house and shop. Late C18. Red brick, laid in Flemish bond, with a plain parapet and moulded stucco cornice. Hipped plaintiled roof. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys and cellar. 3 window range: on the 2nd storey 6-pane sashes in deep reveals; on the 1st storey a central 12-pane sash and 2 large square mid-C19 bays replacing the 2 outer sashes. These have a 'Venetian' form with an arched central light and 2 narrow side lights divided by slender columns. A raised stucco band below the 1st storey windows is interrupted by these projecting bays. A central 6-panel door with raised fielded panels is approached up 3 stone steps; panelled reveals to altered surround. 4 fluted pilasters of unusual design, surmounted by carved brackets, are spaced across the ground storey. The shop front of No.19 was modernised c1970, but No.20 retains its complete fascia with deeply-cut gilded lettering, a vertical bar to the glazing and a panelled stall-board. This front, according to photographs taken at the time, post-dates the 1882 fire in Abbeygate Street. A 'Royal' insurance sign between 2 of the first storey windows. Both halves of the building have extensions at the rear. INTERIOR: cellars below both halves of the building, extending partly under the street. Remains of flint rubble walling with some reused stone blocks. The partition wall has the stub ends of older ceiling-beams, over which the present ceiling was laid at the ground storey level of the house. Below No.19, is a curious dome-shaped opening, rendered and formerly shelved, about 5' high. The house was irregularly divided into 2 and the original dog-leg staircase is now disused in No.19. It extends to the 1st storey only, but initially reached to the 2nd storey: wide oak treads, slender turned balusters, and a plain wreathed handrail inlaid with thin strips of a contrasting wood. A large Diocletian window, partly blocked by C20 fletton brickwork, lights the stair from the 2nd storey rear.

Listing NGR: TL8542164223