23 and 25, Market Square

A shop building dating from the late 18th or early 19th century, located on Market Square in Kirkby Stephen. The exterior is constructed of coursed, squared rubble with moulded eaves and stone sill bands to the upper floors. The roof is hipped, covered in graduated slate, and features a central brick chimney. The building presents three elevations, with the north elevation being symmetrical and featuring two central bays and angled corners. The shop front incorporates two projecting bow-windows with glazing bars, and a part-glazed door is located at each angled corner. Fluted, wooden Roman Doric columns are present on either side of each door and window, supporting a continuous cornice. The first floor has two 16-paned sash windows, while the top floor has three reduced-height sashes with glazing bars. The west elevation has a gap in the sill bands between the first and second bays from the north. It features two 2-light shop windows, one 20th-century window, all in wooden surrounds with a cornice, along with three 16-paned sashes to the first floor and three reduced-height sashes with glazing bars to the top floor. All upper floor windows are set within stone surrounds. An external entrance to the cellars is located on the west side, with a railing. The east elevation includes a cast-iron door in a flue just below the eaves, which may have been used for smoking hams.