76 and 76a, Preston Street

Nos 76 and 76A on Preston Street is a 15th-century timber-framed building that was refronted in the 18th century. It retains an overhang on the first floor facing the street and is jettied on the south side, which fronts Cross Lane. The protruding ends of the floor joists and a row of brackets are visible, with the timber-framing on this side still exposed and featuring curved braces. The building has two storeys and two windows. The ground floor is stuccoed and rusticated but is now entirely made up of two modern shop fronts. Above, the facade is red brick with a wooden cornice and a cemented parapet. There are two Venetian windows on the first floor, with intact glazing bars. The central area of the shop fronts features two doorways, with the right-hand one adorned with pilasters and a projecting cornice beneath the overhang of the first floor. This building is part of a group that includes Nos 73 to 78 and No 78A.