8, Westgate Street

This is a house, originally built in the 16th century, and later divided into two properties; now used as offices. It underwent significant alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries. The structure is timber-framed and rendered, with red brick on the east gable and one rear wing. The roof is covered with plain tiles, and features a paired modillion eaves soffit.

The front elevation is two storeys and attics, with a four-window range. It features 12-pane sashes on the ground floor, 9-pane sashes on the first floor, all set within flush cased frames. There are two matching doorcases with plain fanlights, reeded pilasters, and pediments, framing two doors with eight raised fielded panels. A foot-scraper is located beside one of the doors. A substantial red brick chimney stack with four diagonally-set, moulded capped shafts on a rectangular base is prominent externally. The rear of the building has a rendered gable with two 6-pane sash windows on the first floor and two sashes with a single vertical glazing bar on the ground floor, all in flush cased frames. A back door has a moulded architrave and a flat cornice hood supported by shaped brackets. A longer, gabled wing dating to the 19th century adjoins the rear, featuring sashes with single glazing bars.

The interior retains exposed timbers on part of the ground floor, particularly in the rooms flanking the central chimney stack. On the left side of the stack, ceiling beams display a double ogee moulding with run-out stops. The main transverse beam is un-moulded on its inner face, suggesting a possible later insertion of the chimney stack to replace a former smoke bay or plaster flue. A straight chamfered timber lintel above a fireplace has two large peg holes, potentially indicating an earlier timber frame. The fireplace has an unusual brick grille with traces of original red ochre colouring. To the right of the stack, another room displays exposed ceiling timbers with a wide chamfer on the main cross-beams and widely-spaced, plain joists; the irregular bay spacing suggests the building was possibly shortened at the west end. The rear wall has been removed and replaced with a 20th-century extension. The stack on this side incorporates stone blocks to the sides and jambs with a straight chamfered timber lintel. The staircase, located within the entrance hall, features reel-and-bobbin balusters, open bracketed strings, moulded newels, and a handrail. The remaining areas of the building have no exposed framing, and the roof is inaccessible.