Griffith's Shop, 5 Church Road, Bessbrook, Co.Armagh, BT35 7AQ

A detached split-level late-nineteenth century former shop, comprising single-storey shop with two-storey perpendicular section to rear. Rectangular on plan, located on the north side of Church Street, west of Bessbrook village centre. Detailing to shopfont is early twentieth century. Pitched natural slate roof inset with timber-framed five-light rooflights throughout (some boarded over), roll-top teracotta ridge tiles, red brick chimneystack centrally placed to two-storey section; cast iron rainwater goods. Walling is random coursed granite rubble with cement ribbon pointing, with the exception of the shopfront, which is rendered. Windows are timber framed, with brick reveals and granite cills, and are detailed with elevations. Gabled shopfront, facing south, with symmetrical composition comprising pediment with heavy moulded surround, inset with raised painted plaster letters: 'GRIFFITH / DRAPER / MILLINER'. The pediment is supported by an iron beam with maker's mark 'Bell / Belfast' and on either side by wide pilasters with contrasting moulding corresponding to capitals and plinth with additional geometric detailing, flanking two large timber-framed display windows (boarded over) with multi-paned top panels, resting on rendered stallrisers with decorative ventilation grilles. Central recessed porch, with glazed side walls as main front, geometric tiled threshhold and timber sheeted ceiling divided into sections with timber ribs. Replacement timber and glazed door with leaded stained glass overlight. Shopfront secured by modern metal grilles and gate. West elevation is blank, with the exception of a replacement timber door to two-storey section, in original timber frame with two-light overlight. Rear elevation is blank, and abutted at ground floor by a later twentieth-century concrete block outbuilding. East elevation openings are located to the two-storey section only, comprising three replacement hardwood six-light windows to ground floor, and three original six-light top-hung casement windows to first floor. The single-storey section is blank. Setting: Set back from the street, with tarmac pavement extended to the perimeter; closed access entry to east; the rear and west elevation bound the yard and the garden of the adjoining property, a detached late nineteenth-century two-storey house with several other outbuildings to rear. Roof: Slate RWG: Cast iron Walling: Random coursed granite rubble Windows: Timber