Building record MDO45163 - 5 and 5a West Allington, Bridport

A shop of mid 19th century date with possible late 18th century origins. |It is built of local dressed stone to the front elevation and random stone rubble to the side and rear elevations, now mostly rendered. It has a pitched tiled roof with brick gable end stacks, and a late 20th century dormer to the rear. The lower rear wing also has a pitched tiled roof with a brick central ridge stack and gable end stack. The building has an L-shaped plan consisting of a front range with a rear wing including No. 5a. Symmetrical mid 19th century front elevation with early 20th century inserted shop fronts (slightly altered in the late 20th century, as indicated by photographic evidence). They flank a central round headed entrance, with door and fan light of later date. First and second floor have three sashes with shouldered and eared architraves, those to the first floor including closed pediments. The current eight by eight pane sash windows (introduced in the late 20th century), replace former plate glass sashes. The west side elevation has matching architraves to the windows and doors, which have all been replaced, those to No. 5a all in plastic.

The exact date of the building, probably designed by a local architect, is unknown. The earliest available map showing a building on the site of No. 5 dates from 1774 (Hutchins, vol 1 p 233), suggesting it may originate from the late 18th century, as suggested by the applicant. The front elevation however, on stylistic grounds, dates from the mid 19th century, and it is likely that the building was significantly altered during this remodelling. A map of Bridport of circa 1850-1865, and the subsequent 1:500 scale Ordnance Survey town map of 1887/88, show a building that matches the L-shaped footprint of the current building.

Local trade directories state that during the latter part of the 19th century the building was used by John Hoare as a wholesale and retail grocer, as also confirmed by a late-19th century photograph showing the street front of the building. Later, in the early 20th century, the building was used by the draper and outfitter Frank P Spicer. Contemporary photographic evidence suggests that it was during this period that the former mid 19th century ground floor windows were replaced with the current shop fronts. By 1929 (see Ordnance Survey map published that year), the building had been subdivided, with the rear wing (including No. 5a) in separate use. During the late 20th century, No. 5 was used as an antique shop. Recently it was converted into a dental practice with a flat above in the attic, with No. 5a remaining in separate use as a private house.

MATERIALS: Local dressed stone to the front elevation and random stone rubble to the side and rear elevations, now mostly rendered. It has a pitched tiled roof with brick gable end stacks, and a late 20th century dormer to the rear. The lower rear wing also has a pitched tiled roof with a brick central ridge stack and gable end stack.

PLAN: The building has an L-shaped plan consisting of a front range with a rear wing including No. 5a.

EXTERIOR: Symmetrical mid 19th century front elevation with early 20th century inserted shop fronts (slightly altered in the late 20th century, as indicated by photographic evidence). They flank a central round headed entrance, with door and fan light of later date. First and second floor have three sashes with shouldered and eared architraves, those to the first floor including closed pediments. The current eight by eight pane sash windows (introduced in the late 20th century), replace former plate glass sashes. The west side elevation has matching architraves to the windows and doors, which have all been replaced, those to No. 5a all in plastic.

INTERIOR: plan form much altered in the late 20th century when converted into a dental practice, though first floor partly retains its layout. There are no 19th century internal shop fixtures. The former courtyard to the rear (southeast) is now covered and used as a waiting room. Only few original features survive, including dog leg stairs to the rear with turned balusters, and one marble fire surround (probably of late 19th century late) at first floor level to the front. The attic, now converted into a flat, contains part of the original roof timbers, though its ridge piece is not visible.

Map evidence suggests this building may originate from the late 18th century. However, if this is the case, it is clear on stylistic grounds and from the surviving fabric that the building has undergone significant alterations in the mid 19th century. As such, very little late 18th century fabric of interest now survives. Although it may originally have been built as a town house, the building, situated on the edge of the town centre adjacent to a number of historic commercial buildings including a public house, is likely to have been used as a shop from the outset, but at least since the mid to late 19th century, and probably with living accommodation above.

In accordance with the Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings published in 2007 and with the accompanying Guidance published by English Heritage, for a mid- to late-19th century shop, in order to merit designation on a national level, more rigorous selection is necessary and the quality of decorative treatment is an important consideration. In cases where the interior has been substantially altered or lost, surviving front elevations need to be sufficiently interesting or architecturally rare in a national context to warrant listing. Group value may be relevant if a number of surviving shops form an impressive ensemble in a national context.

The mid-19th century front elevation of No. 5 West Allington is well balanced and displays good quality architectural detailing. Although its later inserted shop front, of early 20th century date, has undergone some minor alterations, it has survived well and can be seen as a legitimate part of the building's development, as it is likely to reflect its change from a grocery to a draper in the early 20th century. It is also true that No. 5 West Allington makes a notable architectural statement and forms part of an interesting group of historic commercial buildings along this main road through Bridport, most of which are listed, as pointed out by the applicant.

However, in a national context this building is of a relatively standard and common design. As such, the survival of the front elevation with its shop windows of relatively late date, does not outweigh the loss of most of its interior, which retains very few original features and/or fixtures of interest, none of which are a reminder of its former longstanding use as a shop. Additionally, although arguably less relevant, the west side elevation has lost much of its historic character, as the door and windows to No. 5a, now also rendered, have all been replaced with uPVC ones.

As such No 5 West Allington (including its former rear wing, now No. 5a) does not merit designation on a national level. However, the building continues to make a very positive contribution to the local street scene, adding to its interest, and to the Bridport Conservation Area. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, 166967 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

Adviser's report on case 166967, in file 505930/001

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1512385 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2024 11:22AM