3 And 5, East Street

Nos. 3 and 5 East Street in Ilminster are offices that were originally a shirt factory, dated 1916. The building is constructed from rough Ham Hill stone ashlar with fine ashlar and reconstructed Minster stone dressings, topped with a slate roof. It has a U-shaped plan with a central courtyard and stands three storeys high, featuring a six-window range across a three-bay front.

The central entrance has a segmental archway with stepped voussoirs, double iron gates, and rusticated jambs. This archway is flanked by full-height pilasters topped with balls, which extend down into the plinth. The outer pilasters angle back towards the returns, giving a more solid appearance. Each of the three bays has two windows on each floor, except for the right side of the ground floor, which has three windows. The ground floor features two-light fixed windows with top vents and chamfered jambs, while the upper floors have 6/6-pane sash windows set in moulded architraves.

A continuous string course runs above the ground floor, and another string course above the first floor is positioned between the pilasters. The second floor cornice, which features heavy dentillation, is also continuous below the parapet made of local Minster stone, adorned with eight circles and a central panel between each pilaster. The panel above the entrance displays a datestone from 1916. The buildings surrounding the courtyard are made of brick. The interior has not been inspected. Historically, shirtmaking was a major industry in the 19th century, and this building is noted as one of the earliest uses of Minster stone. It is included for its group value.