Listed Building: 8 and 9 High Street. (1223181)

TQ 7655 NW 2/3 HIGH STREET (North-West Side) Nos 8 and 9 30.7.5l. GV II* Built in 1827 by John Whichcord Senior as the Kent Fire Office, later used as the Royal Insurance Offices. A fine building of Portland stone, the ground floor rusticated. Three storeys. Eight engaged fluted Ionic columns rise through the first and second floors supporting the entablature. Parapet above with elaborate cartouche over the centre of it, surmounted by a helmet. Seven sashes, first and second floor windows are set in moulded architrave surrounds with glazing bars intact. The ground floor has large windows with segmental heads (now containing plate glass) and two archways at the west end, of equal size, forming a passageway through the building into market buildings, are for pedestrians and one for vehicles. These arches are supported on four Tuscan columns. Nos 1, 3 & 5 to 9 (consec) form a group Also forms a group with the Mitre Public House, Market Buildings. Listing NGR: TQ7603255757