57and 59 High Street (EHER 38343)

Two shops built in 1892 from red brick in English-bond, with orange terracotta dressings. The roof is covered in machine-made plain tiles with decorative ridge tiles.

October 1996. Grade II listed. Two shops built in 1892 from red brick in English-bond, with orange terracotta dressings. The roof is covered in machine-made plain tiles with decorative ridge tiles. The building is three storeys and has an elaborate moulded cornice/parapet with terracotta egg-and-dart and swags. There is a central terracotta panel inscribed: 'B 1892' between the first and second floors. The ground floor has a painted stone dentilled cornice, and a continuous 19th century fascia with end consoles over Corinthian stone pilasters, part fluted, part panelled. There is a central alley between two high quality contemporary shop fronts which have decorative patterned glazing over transoms. <1> See photo <2>. It abuts No.55 High Street (EHER 38342) to the west and No.61 to the east. November 2018. Heritage assessment. 57 High Street is an elegant late Victorian building commissioned by Edmund Earnest Bentall and built in 1892. It is a three-storey building with basement. Built as a pair with No 59, it is fine example of the mixed architecture of the Arts and Crafts movement. The interior was well appointed with high quality decor and furnishings. The original layout comprised a ground floor shop and subterranean basement; storage and possibly accomodation on the first floor; a large living room, and two bedrooms on the second floor; and a servant's bedroom on the third floor. The ground floor probably had a shop to the front and a store room with fireplace to the rear. The building was built with a pair of shop windows on the ground floor (No.s 57 and 59), but the shops were separated by a shared access passage which led to the rear store rooms. The passaged was accessed by a wrought iron gate on the High Street. The remants of Victorian advertisement posters can still be seen on the south side of the access passage near the front of the building, although the original text cannot be completely made out. The basement has branded bricks from the Clover brickworks. Inside, the original brick staircase is in place, but has been replaced by mdoern timber staircase. Access was also granted by a trap door to the rear of the shop and in the space by the store room, which was originally probably an open yard. There is good evidence that the basement was built at the same time as the rest of the building. The ground and first floors have been refitted with late 20th and early 21st century shop fittings, although the original shop window remains. Some internal alterations also date to this period and include the insertion of secondary staircases and suspended ceilings with modern light fittings. The decorative panels of the first floor windows are probably original but the main opening lights appear to be late 20th century replacements with recent repairs. A late 20th century toilet and office cubicle were also inserted on this floor. There is access to the flat roof from a door beside the office. The staircase up to the second floor is a late 20th century insertion. The original descended below the original (and still present) Victorian staircase ascending to the third floor. This staircase is a good example of late 19th century design with heavy stick balusters denoting its low caste for servant’s use. The landing is decorated with floral and geometric wallpaper. It is possible that the wallpaper is the original decorative scheme from 1892. There are expensive and well hung wallpapers, deep architraves and four panelled doors all finished to a similar colour. The pine doors, door frames, stair stringer and the original toroidal skirtings have a paint finish to simulate oak. The walls have lines for former dado and picture rails. The living room retains similar floral patterned wallpaper. The fireplace has been blocked off and vented. <3>