Listed Building record MDO11796 - 9 East Street, Bridport

Timber-framed stone house, built in 17th century and refaced in late 18th century. Formerly the George Inn, later a pharmacist’s shop owned initially by Dr Roberts of ‘Poor Man’s Friend’ fame and later by Beach and Barnicott.

A 17th century building refaced in the late 18th century. It is a two-storey house, the walls are of stone and timber-framing (1). The jettied timber-framed front has been underbuilt (2). There is windbracing in the roof of the rear wing (2). It was formerly the George Inn, a 17th century inn, where the fugitive Charles II stayed on 23 September 1651, disguised as an ostler.

The late 18th century front incorporates two bowed shop-fronts with bow windows above. The fascia-board above was added in the 19th century (1). The shop was owned by Dr Giles Roberts who established his firm in 1788 and is famous for his patent medicine, in particular his ointment the 'Poor Man's Friend'. The pharmacy was taken over by Thomas Beach and John Barnicott who continued to manufacture the ointment until 1903.

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 51 (Monograph). SDO97.

<2> Jones, B V and Williams, M, 2002, Bridport: An Assessment of Townscape & Buildings, 32-3 (Unpublished document). SDO10497.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 867723 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 20 2022 4:55PM