55-59, MARKET PLACE

This is a row of four late Georgian commercial buildings dating to approximately 1831. They are constructed of ashlar Bath stone, with a rusticated finish to the ground floor. A moulded stone band runs along the first-floor sill level, and rusticated quoins highlight the corners. The building has a moulded cornice above the second-floor windows, topped by a parapet with a moulded base and coping that projects forward over the quoins, interspersed with balustrades above the windows. The upper floors each feature four windows with glazing bar sashes set within architrave surrounds. The second-floor windows have bracketed sills. The first-floor windows are distinguished by moulded pediments resting on flat scroll brackets, which are themselves supported by small square blocks with reeded pilasters on either side. The ground floor has been altered; a wide, modern recessed plate glass shop front occupies the left side, while a plain shop window is on the right. Instead of the original four, there are now two round-headed doors with six panels each, featuring radiating fanlights with simulated keystones and projecting keys.