Former Public Library

The former Public Library in Bury St Edmunds was originally built as a Corn Exchange in the early 19th century and includes a Fire Station at the south end. The building is constructed of white brick with stone dressings and is now divided into shops. It stands two storeys tall on an island site.

The east and west fronts are single-storeyed and feature an eight-window range, with all windows having 20th-century replacement glazing set in moulded brick architraves topped with triangular pediments. The windows are separated by slightly projecting brick piers, which are paired at the corners. Both fronts have a central tetrastyle porch with attached columns, a frieze, and a pediment.

The north and south fronts are two-storeyed, each with a five-window range. These also have 20th-century replacement sashes set in moulded brick architraves, with the ground storey windows pedimented. The windows are framed by brick pilasters that extend through both storeys. The central window on each front is flanked by pilasters that support a moulded brick frieze and pediment.

The south front features a central projecting brick porch with a semicircular arch and stone balusters above, with the lintel inscribed with the words "FIRE STATION" in large capitals. The north front has a central entrance with a plain surround and a larger pediment that matches those above the windows. The entire building is topped with a stone balustraded parapet, a moulded brick cornice, and semicircular stone caps on the brick piers. The interior has not been inspected.