9, Fore Street

This is a house, now used as a shop, dating from the 17th century, with significant alterations made in the mid-20th century. It’s constructed of stretcher-bond brick and has a pantile roof. The building follows a single-depth plan, running parallel to the street, and includes a rear left wing creating an L-shaped layout. It is two storeys high and has a single window facing the street. A modern tripartite sash window is located on the first floor, and a modern shop front occupies the ground floor.

Inside, a large, unsupported chamfered oak beam with a central mortise spans the building. To the right of the entrance is a deeply chamfered recess, possibly the remains of a former doorhead, also with a mortise indicating a former central support. Approximately 2.5 metres from the entrance door, a painted oak-panelled screen extends roughly 5 metres towards the rear of the building; this screen features a late 17th-century doorcase. The doorcase includes panelled bases to short, fluted pilasters with panelled tops, and above it, a moulded semicircular arch with a keystone and panelled spandrels. A cornice steps forward above the keystone and pilasters. A shallow stone corbel supports a stone lintel above the screen’s forward section. The roof space has not been inspected but is considered likely to be of interest.