Farmer's Union of Wales

The Farmer's Union of Wales building occupies the prominent corner site at 1, 2 & 3 The Cross in Newtown. Constructed in the early 20th century, it is a three-storey structure of Ruabon red brick, accented by buff terracotta dressings set upon a red terracotta plinth. The roof is steeply pitched and tiled, with plain brick chimneys and a low leaded parapet incorporating a corniced entablature. A square clock tower rises from a curved corner, topped by a two-stage octagonal cupola with concave sides, slit-like round arched windows, a ribbed lead dome, and pediments above the clock faces. Pilasters define the corners, with a corniced band and paired pilasters sweeping outwards to form scrolls over buttresses.

The second floor features paired round arched sash windows with rusticated arches and terracotta pilasters; the upper sash has small panes. A sill band runs along the building, with flanking brick pilasters descending from the tower through the sill band to ornate brackets, followed by further paired windows. The first floor displays similar, taller windows flanked by ornate strapwork dedication plaques, with broad tripartite windows beyond. A sill band sits above a plain entablature supported by convex brackets. A corner doorway features a rusticated round arch, nookshaft, face to the keystone, pilasters, ornate spandrels with putti, a blind fanlight, and six-panel double doors. This doorway is flanked by two-light mullioned windows with oval oculi above, surmounted by swan-necked pediments. Further paired round arched sash windows are positioned to either side. Similar central bays are present on the High Street and Severn Street elevations. Ornate Dutch gables, pilasters, and urns are incorporated throughout, with Renaissance motifs applied to the round arches. Centre pilasters descend to brackets at the sill band, framing paired sash windows flanked by smaller windows with ornate aprons. The first floor mirrors this design with round arches. A sill band continues across the facade. A later modern plate glass window is situated on the ground floor of the High Street elevation, while a blocked “Dutch” doorcase is present on the Severn Street side, alongside sash windows. A similar gable end is found on Parker’s Lane. Plain raking gable parapets characterise the rear elevation along Severn Street. The outer bays of the High and Severn Street elevations display round arched sash windows to the second floor and cross windows to the first. A modern shopfront has been introduced to High Street. A paired round arched first-floor window is positioned at the corner with Parker's Lane, accompanied by an ornate strapwork bracket incorporating a mask above, and a rusticated, round arched corner doorway with medallions to the spandrels.

The Parker's Lane elevations are plainer. A further two-storey, three-window block extends to the rear, connected by a broad doorway with a balustrade above, and features raking gable parapets.