Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance

Entrance building to the former Corn Exchange Arcade, built in 1854 by John Berry Clacy and F Hawkes.

MATERIALS: the street-facing, east elevation is of ashlar Bath stone, possibly with Portland stone to the clocktower and belfry.

PLAN: the building is a single volume with a narrow rectangular plan, comprising the mid-C19 tower and a rear (west) C20 extension.

EXTERIOR: the Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance is an English Renaissance-style building containing a single bay across two floors. The ground floor largely comprises an undercroft that gives access to the rear arcade. It is flanked on either side of the east elevation by piers with alternating bands of smooth and relief-carved chamfered rustication, with swagged fruit capitals. A lintel over the arcade entrance carries the C21 raised lettering, ‘MARKET WAY’. A pierced balcony with a geometric stone balustrade separates the ground floor from the first floor. The first floor is an arched recess with coffered vaulted ceiling, and is flanked on either side by fluted Ionic pilasters that support heavy entablatures. At its apex is a keystone with the Prince of Wales crest. Recessed within the east elevation is a serliana-style tripartite window with entablature, over which is a large fanlight. The first floor supports an elaborate clock tower. The base of the clock tower is engraved with ‘CORN EXCHANGE’ in relief. The clock face has two gilt borders and is set into a square panel with foliate ornament and flanked on either side by scroll brackets. The clock element is topped by an octagonal campanile with bell and weathervane. The rear, west elevation of the Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance is hidden behind the mid-C20 fabric of 36-43 Market Place.