The Shirehall, Shirehall Plain, Holt
We've been busy.
Following on from the success of the Holt Outdoor Markets during the summer, we decided to create a permanent retail space for the creators of the high standard of contemporary craft that you have come to love and support at the markets.
Over the last 2 months we've been working hard to create our new home in The Shirehall, just opposite Byford's in the centre of Holt. The original medieval market and toll house was destroyed in a fire and was rebuilt in the 18th Century as The Court House, which remained in use until the mid 1970's. The building is full of beautiful features, including a chamfered timber post in the centre of the shop area, with carved stops on a stone base supporting a large chamfered beam. There is also a second stone base which was re-used as a mounting block near the side doorway facing Bull Street.
When we first looked around what had been the offices of a financial planning service company, we were rather underwhelmed by the traditional office livery of suspended ceilings, striped vinyl wallpaper and fitted carpets, so we took a deep breath and gradually started peeling back the layers...