37&38 High Street

History: Originally built as a pair, c1820 (and roofed as a continuous build with No 36); probably incorporating the fabric of an earlier building on the site - the Bear Inn was in existence by 1759. Formerly the Bear Inn, No 37 was later a private house and became the Conservative Club in 1898. No 38 was previously in separate occupation but was incorporated into No 37 c1950.

Exterior: Painted brick with slate roof. 3 storeys, 4-window range with central entrance. Doric portico porch, renewed door with fanlight in moulded architrave, flanked by C20 inserted oriel windows to ground floor. The arched entrance to Bear Passage is partly included at the right hand end. Upper windows are 12-pane sashes with flat arched heads. 6-pane sash windows below eaves in upper storey. Coved eaves cornice, continuous with No 36. Rear wing largely a modern addition which may represent the reconstruction of an earlier range.

An early C19 tenement retaining some of its original character which forms part of a group of C18-C19 town houses on High Street.

References: Robert Owen, 'Welshpool Landmarks' Montgomeryshire Collections, Vol.38, 1918, p.176; Ion Trant, The Changing Face of Welshpool, 1986, p.37.