53 Westgate Road

This building was listed Grade II in 1971 with the following description:
'House, now offices. Late C17 or early C18. Bright red brick, with ashlar dressings; Welsh slate roof. English garden wall bond (4 and one). 4 storeys, 5 bays. Circa 1960 inserted front and passageway at right in late C19 stone shop; fascia with cast iron rail on cornice; upper floors have tapered end pilasters, and cornice to each floor. Sashes in architraves have stone panels above, and aprons on top 2 floors, forming vertical stone strips. Moulded sills. Capitals to top pilasters at window lintel level; top entablature with covered cornice. Big roof with 2 ridge chimneys. Interior not inspected.'
Pevsner - remarkable despite the later shopfronts. In 1723 this was Lady Clavering's House according to Corbridge's map. The sashes are in architrave surrounds linked vertically by stone panels and aprons. The column effect is reinforced by tapered pilasters on the three upper floors and by the cornices. The 1960s shopfront is a 'brutal addition'. Now Mortgage Advice Shop with offices above. LISTED GRADE 2