61-63 High Street, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23 3HS

Two storey gabled block at the east end of High Street, Newtownards, most of which has been demolished in recent years. Only a small section, number 61, remains standing and now serves as a clothes shop.

The surviving portion at number 61 presents a front facade facing north with a modern shop front at ground floor level, featuring a large timber sign board with modern lettering above. The first floor contains a sash window with a modern PVC canopy above it in a pram roof style, and modern false timber shuttering. The facade is covered in lined render with chamfered quoins along the right edge. The rear of the building is dominated by a large gabled return with modern openings, though the rear can only be observed from a distance as there is no access to it from within the building itself. The roof is gabled and covered in Bangor blue slates, with a single rendered chimney stack and a cast iron skylight to the rear. Metal rain water goods are fitted.

The demolished section, number 63, which latterly operated as a public house, was originally constructed in 1619. This larger property was pulled down around 1977 and replaced with a modern two storey gabled shop building known as 'Shop Electric'. The former building had been a two storey gabled structure with Georgian paned sash windows, a carriage arch, and an inscribed panel to the front reading "1619 HM IH" with a fleur de lis symbol. These initials referred to Hugh Montgomery and his wife Jean Herriot (the 'long I' being used in place of the letter J). Montgomery was a kinsman of the more famous Hugh Montgomery, lord of the Ards, who began to develop the old medieval settlement of Newtown in the early 17th century. The former house was constructed in what was then becoming the new central focus of the town, moving away from the area of the old priory to the southeast. It appears on Colvill's map of 1720 and on 19th century Ordnance Survey maps.

The site occupied by number 61 also appears on these historical maps, though the present building may not necessarily be as old as its former neighbour. By the early 20th century, number 61 had become a drapers and milliner's shop, owned by Mr. Kelly around 1910, whilst number 63 operated as a public house.

When workmen were clearing the site of number 63 in preparation for construction of the electricity showroom in 1977, they unearthed a hoard of coins dating from 1370 to 1371. Medieval pottery fragments were also found near this site.

This block does not meet the test for listing. Number 61 remains of local interest.