40 and 42 High Street

Former bank, now commercial premises; probably built in the mid C19, with later alterations.

MATERIALS: limestone ashlar ground floor, rendered above with stone dressings, axial chimney stacks and a slate mansard roof.

PLAN: double-depth rectangular plan, slightly skewed to the south.

EXTERIOR: designed in an Italianate style, the building is of three storeys with an attic. The symmetrical principal elevation has six-windows to each storey, with two blocked on the second floor. The ground floor has been refaced in limestone ashlar, with paired pilasters to each bay, separated in the centre by a shallow panel. There is a sunken apron panel beneath each window, and entablature and cornice above. Stone steps lead up to the outer round-arched doorways which each have a panelled door and fanlight. To the first floor there is a round-arched arcade with archivolts connected by an impost band; each arch is filled with a plate-glass sash window. On the second floor there is a cill band, deep cornice and blocking course, whilst the windows are three-over-six-pane sashes. In the attic there are four dormers with two-over-two-pane sash windows. The rear elevation is partly rendered and with exposed red brick to the upper floors. Windows are six-over-six sashes under segmental heads, with a central double-height projecting entrance taking the form of a staircase tower.

The building was extended at right-angles to the rear in the late C20 to provide parking and further offices.

INTERIOR: understood to be largely remodelled, but noted by the RCHME as having some original features including joinery and a right-hand open-well stair with alternate rods and turned balusters.