40 and 42 High Street, including The Apothecarys House (EHER 38334)

Formerly known as The Apothecary's House, Nos 40 and 42 High Street are an early and late 18th century building, now used as shops and offices. The brick-built structure is three storeys with plain tile roofs and extensive 20th century rear extensions. The early 18th century Apothecary's House has its front (east) elevation now within the 20th century rear shop extension. It is two-storeys, built from red brickwork in Flemish-bond with some grey headers. A three-storey, early 19th century rear block, partly spans over the eastern alley and has a hipped Welsh slate roof behind a parapet. The front range is largely 20th century and has a notable ground floor colonnade of eight Doric columns, coupled either side of the centre, and which supports the jettied upper storeys.

October 1951. Grade II listed. Formerly known as The Apothecary's House, Nos 40 and 42 High Street are an early and late 18th century building, now used as shops and offices. The brick-built structure is three storeys with plain tile roofs and extensive 20th century rear extensions. The front has a plain parapet which conceals a hipped roof. It has a symmetrical five-window range and the centre bay protrudes forward, bearing the only arched window. The ground floor has a 20th century colonnade of eight Doric columns, coupled either side of the centre, and which supports the jettied upper storeys. The recessed 20th century shop front is metal with a continuous fascia and brick stall-risers. The front range is largely 20th century, but a staircase to the rear has shaped tread ends, stick balusters and hardwood handrail, suggesting an earlier date. A bridge structure links the building with No.44 (not included in the listing) and is covered with painted weatherboarding on the north elevation, and Welsh slate on the roof. The early 18th century Apothecary's House has its front (east) elevation now within the 20th century rear shop extension. It is two-storeys, built from red brickwork in Flemish-bond with some grey headers. The west elevation (facing an alley) is generally of two storeys, again in Flemish-bond brick, but with a rendered stair tower, hipped plain tile roof and nine-pane sash window. The roof is steeply pitched in plain tiles with the gable and large stack to the south. The first floor room has mid 18th century panelling with a cornice (dentilled over the former fireplace) and a small fireplace with shouldered architrave. A three-storey, early 19th century rear block, partly spans over the eastern alley and has a hipped Welsh slate roof behind a parapet. The has on its first floor, a room with moulded skirting and shutters in the flanks of the windows. <1> See photos <2>.