18 and 20 Fore Street

18 and 20 Fore Street are a former hotel, likely dating from the mid to later 18th century, and later adapted for commercial use. The building is constructed of coursed squared elvan stone with granite dressings, and has a Welsh slate roof. The facade is U-shaped, with a symmetrical design of five bays, featuring projecting wings. The central three bays have a ground-floor arcade dominated by a wagon entrance passing under a semi-elliptical arch with a decorative keystone. Flanking this are doorways with rectangular lintels. The first floor has restored sash windows with 12 panes each, and the second floor has windows with six panes. All windows have raised sills and splayed voussoirs. The narrower wings have matching windows at ground floor and have hipped roofs. Ridge chimneys are located in line with the wings. The interior was heavily remodelled after 1970. The site was originally built in the 18th century as the King’s Arms Hotel and closed as a hotel in 1970, subsequently becoming occupied by the Halifax Building Society. A courtyard at the front, known as ‘Tatey Court’, was previously used for selling potatoes, and once housed a fruit and vegetable shop operated by Rowe and Company, advertised by a fascia board beneath the central arch.