Oldham's Bakery

Cadw's description

Location

The left-hand building of the colonnaded row.

History

The colonnaded island row to which this building belongs is shown in John Speed's 1610 map of Denbigh and represents post-medieval encroachment onto the market place. Originally timber-framed, the row retains its original covered lower stage, although the columns are mostly replacements of the C18 and C19. This feature is known locally as the Piazza, or 'Y Bylciau' and implies a conscious urbanity and unity of intention which reflects Denbigh's growing significance and self-assurance during the Tudor period. A watercolour by Sir Richard Colt Hoare of 1815 shows the colonnade returning as a single-storey pentise in to Crown Square, though this arrangement was swept away shortly afterwards.

This building completes the row on the L and represents a mid-Victorian remodelling in playful Gothic; its crow-stepped brick gable looks more Hansiatic than anything, although it presumably quotes the Elizabethan fashion for such treatment, as introduced to the area by Richard Clough c1568.

Exterior

Tall, single-bay building of 3 storeys with 1860s medievalising facade and slate roof; of red brick with decorative bands and motifs in yellow stock brick; stepped gable. Early C20 simple shop front to the ground floor, with the upper floors jettied-out over the pavement and carried on 2 columns; Early English capitals. The first floor has a shallow rectangular bay with a plain central sash and cusped wooden heads to narrow flanking and returned lights; slated, hipped roof with fictive black and white vertical framing below. Plain sash to the second floor, with blind pointed-arched head; counter-changed decoration to this and the voussoirs. Brick lateral chimney to the L.

Interior

The interior was not inspected at the time of survey (11/99).

Reason for designation

Included for its special interest as one of a colonnaded row of buildings retaining good external character and forming a significant element in the sub-medieval morphology and aspirations of the town; a good example of later C19 commercial architecture.

Group value with other listed items in High Street.