Starbucks

• The current building is built on the site of the Pilgrimage Chapel of Thomas Becket, built in 1174 and demolished around the year 1406.
• Before 1913, Burlingham, a well-known silversmith of Peterborough, occupied the demolished building.
• In 1913, December, Mr. J. Cracknelll of Huntley Grove built the premise for the Capital and Countries Bank to the designs of Mr Alan Ruddle A.R.I.B.A.
• In 1999, (late) Lloyds left the building and moved to Long Causeway.
• In 2000, 24th February, Starbucks opened in the old banks building.

Pizza Express

• In 1911 the premises was built.
• In 1912, Messrs. Boots owned the establishment.
• In 2007, the building was bought by Peter Boizot and became Pizza Express

Architecture:

Starbucks

It was built on the site of the Moat and part of the Nave of the old Thomas A Beckett Chapel.

The building is several feet wider at the back than the front and had to be accommodated to fit a very narrow site. It took 18 months to build and cost between £5,000-£6,000.

The premise has been constructed on a strong concrete base. Originally there was a Monastic Moat, which had to be concreted in, and then a strong concrete basement was built on top. Known as the strong room, it was built using the concept of an 'island' where no wall was adjoined to the main building. This room was bomb and burglar-proof.

The 3 storey Neo Tudor building is made of reinforced concrete on the Kahn-trussed system and the front is faced with Portland slate with a base of dark Norwegian granite. It has gabled ends with a canter levered bay under the parapet. Below the parapet, the front facing windows on both floors are arranged on a 2-6-2 mullion and transom lights.1 window is on the ground floor next to the segmented headed door.

The lobby has a double entrance, 1 on Long Causeway and the other facing Narrow Street.

The side elevation on both of the 2 storeys has 5 mullion and transom windows configured on a 4-6-8-6-4 basis. There is a centre window beneath the 2 Tudor chimneystacks at sides of the building. The ground floor has 3 segmental-headed windows and 2 doorways. Black marble plinth runs along the base of the building on both sides.

All panelling was made of oak; the Managers room in walnut and the large banking hall was in mahogany. On the 2nd floor, the banks solicitors had their offices.

No 41, Kings Lodging, The Precincts and No 3 Bridge Street form a group in a prominent position. The premise was listed as a Grade II building on 7th May 1973.

Pizza Express

It was originally built on the corner of the old Stamford Spalding and Boston Bank and occupied the site of the entrance to the once proposed Central Avenue to relieve Narrow Street.

The 2-storey timber framed building is of 17th Century and later, made out of rendered brick with stone slate and tile roof with 2 gables to the road. The right hand section breaks forward and overhangs on the 1st floor.

The front façade has its Civic and Minister Arms and exquisite stone scroll work. Amongst are 5 dimensional figures that stand in architraves. Top left hand side is "Atwald" the Bishop of Winchester, top right hand is "Prada" King of Mercia, Centre is Henry VIII, bottom left hand Prince Rupert and bottom right hand is the Earl of Essex.

The 2 upper figures are connected with the monastery around the time when the town 1st grew. For the Prada figure it is linked when the foundations of the Abbey were laid.

Dividing the figurines, there is 1 window to each section with modern mullions of 4 and 6 lights. The upper section of the window pains are leaded patterned diamonds. Underneath are modern ground floor shops.

The premises became a Grade II listed building on 7th May 1973.

Social history:

Starbucks

• The building was decided to harmonise with the Cathedral surroundings and at that time it was accustom for banks to use London architects for new buildings.
• The aim of Starbucks was to bring an al fresco atmosphere to Cathedral Square by placing tables and chairs in Cathedral Square.
• Starbucks was founded in 1971 by 3 coffee lovers and now has 2,000 outlets.

Pizza Express

• When first built the building attracted a lot of attention as it was a very unusual addition to the commercial offices of the city.