10 Bridge Street, Dromore, Co Down, BT25 1AN

A three-storey terraced commercial premises located on the north side of Bridge Street in Dromore town centre, directly north of the River Lagan bridge. Built in the early 19th century, pre-dating 1833, it first appears on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of that year. The building is partially incorporated into its neighbouring property, No. 12 Bridge Street (HB17/15/016B), with which it has significant group value as part of an early 19th-century terrace.

The building comprises a rectangular plan with a two-storey return to the rear and a rubble-stone and red-brick outbuilding. It is constructed of painted lined-and-ruled rendered walls with straight quoins, finished with a pitched natural slate roof and cast-iron half-round rainwater goods along the eaves course.

The principal elevation faces east and contains two bays across three storeys. Windows to the first and second floors are tripartite timber-framed sliding-sash with 3/3 glazing and projecting painted masonry sills. At ground floor, the right bay features a modern plate-glass shop window on a chamfered stall riser, with a six-panelled timber door and transom light to its right. To the left of ground floor is a timber-sheeted latch door providing access to a side-alley leading to the rear yard. The south elevation is abutted by the adjoining building. The west (rear) elevation is partly abutted by the two-storey return; the right bay contains a smaller 1/1 window to ground and first floors, with a side-alley at ground level. A modern timber door to the second floor with attached metal staircase and a first-floor window serve the right bay. The north elevation is also abutted by neighbouring buildings.

The rear yard is partially lawned and enclosed by mature hedgerow, with the rubble-stone and red-brick outbuilding and a timber-sheeted latch gate providing access via a side-alley to the south.

The building's use has evolved significantly since its construction. Around 1830, it was valued at £9 and occupied by a surgeon, Mr. Davidson. By the mid-19th century it was let by Thomas Stewart and subsequently experienced frequent changes of occupancy. By 1911 it functioned as a second-class saddler's shop occupied by Alexander Monteith, a saddler maker, and comprised five rooms with a shed. In 1906, prior to Monteith's occupation, it was purchased by George Preston, a property valuer and land auctioneer, who also occupied the adjoining No. 12 Bridge Street where his offices were located. Maurice Ervine took possession around 1920 and remained until his death circa 1930, when his widow Florence Ervine took over. The property has been utilised as commercial premises since its listing in 1977.

The original shopfront has been replaced with a modern example. A two-storey return was added to the rear after 1973. Despite these alterations, much of the building's original character survives. The property was substantially restored in recent years by its owners Mr. and Mrs. W. Black, who were awarded the Historic Buildings Council Award of Merit in 1998 for their painstaking restoration work on Nos. 10 and 12 Bridge Street. The building is situated within a conservation area and represents a good example of urban commercial premises developed and adapted over time.