Building On South West Corner Of Gammon Lane

BARNSTAPLE

SS5533SE TULY STREET 684-1/7/253 (North East side) 31/08/88 Building on south-west corner of Gammon Lane

GV II

Showrooms of M Square & Sons, Implement, Manure & Cake Merchants, now offices. 1903. By Alexander Lauder. Cream-coloured brick with dressings of blue brick, stone and terracotta. Slated roof with red ridge-tiles; gablet at left end, gable with cream-coloured brick chimney at right end. Broad, oblong plan, originally the front building to ranges of warehouses and stables. 2 storeys. Arcaded 7-bay front consisting of a series of segmental blue-brick arches springing from giant pilasters on blue-brick pedestals, the pilasters with moulded stone capitals and bases. 2nd bay from each end has broader pilasters with taller superimposed pilasters rising to support entablatures and triangular pediments at eaves level. Left-hand entablature has ESTABLISHED 1875 carved on its frieze and a terracotta scene of ploughing set into the pediment. Right-hand entablature has ERECTED 1903 on the frieze and a terracotta scene of reaping in the pediment. Space within the arches was originally almost entirely glazed. Ground storey now altered, except for twisted iron guard-rails. All original windows remain in upper storey; glazing bars form medieval style pattern with 2 round-headed lights surmounted by a small circular one. INTERIOR: not inspected, but it is known to contain a fine timber roof with queen struts, arch braces and shaped raking struts. HISTORICAL NOTE: the building occupies an important site facing the cattle market and the castle mound. Alexander Lauder was a Barnstaple architect whose pupils included WR Lethaby. Ravelin Manor (qv), which he designed for himself, is also listed. (Lamplugh L: Barnstaple: 1983-: 113).

Listing NGR: SS5566733356