70 And 71, High Street

70 and 71 High Street is a shop with accommodation above, dated 1905, as indicated by a plaque on either side of the oculus window at the attic level. The building features a later 20th-century shopfront and is constructed of red brick with stone dressings, topped by a slate roof that is visible from Cathedral Yard. The rainwater goods are made of cast iron and the building is designed in a Free Baroque style.

The structure has a deep rectangular plan and stands three storeys plus an attic. Its symmetrical front has two bays and is highlighted by a segmental-headed pediment with a deep cornice and kneelers. The shopfront retains what may be original deeply-corbelled brackets supporting the fascia. The first and second floors are flanked by plain pilasters with capitals. Each floor features canted bays topped with elaborate swan-necked pediments adorned with floral motifs. The left-hand first-floor pediment displays the initials C.M., while the right-hand one shows W.M. The second floor is marked with the number 70 on the left and 71 on the right. At the attic level, there is a central oculus window with small panes and an eared and shouldered architrave. The number 19 is inscribed on a plaque to the left of this window, and 05 is inscribed to the right.

The building is noted for its unusual and high-quality Free Baroque style facade and contributes to the group value of the historic streetscape.