39-40 Bridge Street

A former brewery grain store, dating to the 17th century, likely mid-century, with a 20th-century addition and alterations. The building appears to be of two distinct builds. It is timber-framed with brick infill and a rubble stone plinth, and has plain tile roofs. Number 40, on the left, is of two storeys and three framed bays, with a projecting cross-wing (Number 39) to the rear, also of three storeys. A two-storey, 20th-century out-shut is located in the angle between the two sections.

The road-facing elevation has a stone plinth. The timber frame to Number 40 consists of a sole plate, posts, studs, rails, and wall plates, forming small square panels filled with brick. Each section has a double door with an above taking-in hatchway, and there is a further set of three open panels with a ledge above the top floor of Number 39. Number 39 has a half-hipped roof. The right return of Number 39 also shows the timber frame construction, with two arched braces from posts to the wall plate at eaves level, and small-pane windows set within the panels. The left return of Number 40 has a doorway, a later first-floor window, and a small eaves opening to the right, with the 20th-century outshut on the left being of little special interest.

The ground floor interior features large scantling cross-beams and joists, some with carpenters’ marks and good stops to chamfers. The wall of the cross-wing (Number 39) has been removed to create a continuous open space with the 20th-century addition, although mortices in the soffit of the wall plate indicate the former position of the timbers. The cross-wing also includes a first-floor gypsum floor set on wide floorboards, with various trap doors, and a butted board wall separating it from Number 40. Roof timbers are charred and have been replaced following a mid-20th century fire. There are three original queen-strut roof trusses at the rear end of the cross-wing and one collared truss at the front end, with a square section ridge-piece. The roof of Number 40 has two queen-post trusses (using reused timbers) and two collared rafter trusses at the right end, adjoining Number 39; the rafters are large-scantling, flat side down, and there is no ridge-piece.

Historically, the site was owned and occupied by a mealman and maltster, who bequeathed the malthouse in 1689.