Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance

The Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance is an entrance building to the former Corn Exchange Arcade, constructed in 1854 by John Berry Clacy and F. Hawkes. The street-facing east elevation is made of ashlar Bath stone, possibly incorporating Portland stone in the clock tower and belfry.

The building has a single volume with a narrow rectangular plan, featuring a mid-19th century tower and a rear extension from the 20th century.

Architecturally, the Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance is designed in the English Renaissance style and consists of a single bay across two floors. The ground floor mainly serves as an undercroft that provides access to the rear arcade. It is flanked on both sides by piers that display alternating bands of smooth and relief-carved chamfered rustication, topped with swagged fruit capitals. Above the arcade entrance, a lintel features raised lettering from the 21st century that reads ‘MARKET WAY’. A pierced balcony with a geometric stone balustrade separates the ground floor from the first floor.

On the first floor, there is an arched recess with a coffered vaulted ceiling, flanked by fluted Ionic pilasters that support heavy entablatures. At the apex of this recess is a keystone bearing the Prince of Wales crest. Set within the east elevation is a serliana-style tripartite window with an entablature, topped by a large fanlight. The first floor also features an elaborate clock tower, the base of which is engraved with ‘CORN EXCHANGE’ in relief. The clock face is adorned with two gilt borders and is set into a square panel decorated with foliate ornament, flanked by scroll brackets. The clock element is crowned by an octagonal campanile that houses a bell and weathervane. The rear, west elevation of the Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance is concealed behind the mid-20th century structure of 36-43 Market Place.