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Horner's Corner (HT)

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History of Horner's Corner (HT)

This complex of buildings, which has Grade II Listed Building status, lies right at the heart of Rochford. Archaeological excavation on the site found 13thand 14 century gravel surfaces consistent with a market place indicating that Rochford Marketonce extended from its current location to here. Then evidence of a succession of buildings on the site was found, showing that market traders must have swapped their booths and stalls for more permanent structures in which to live and sell their ware.

The building on the junction which now houses a café, is of 19thcentury origin, but it incorporates 15thand 16th elements within it, the remains of those earlier structures mentioned above. It is built of red stocks in Flemish bond which is where each row of bricks has alternate headers (the end of the brick) and stretchers (the side of the brick) along it. This style was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

It was used as a butchers up until 1972, but by the 1990s was derelict. It was then restored and by 2002 looked as it does today. The arches on the ground floor were added as part of the restoration. Previously it had been weatherboarded and had shop windows on the ground floor. The first floor is relativity unchanged, but at one time had rails with hooks from which carcasses were hung.

Going up North Street a series of restored 19thcentury cottages complete the complex on this side of the plot. The wooden building in East Street with first floor doors and hoist is only about 20 years old. It was built to be in keeping with the rest of the complex.

The café is worth a visit and once inside you can see the details of this fascinating building. The whole complex is worth a wander around as it retains the original plot layouts of those medieval buildings which came to be when the merchants began infilling this part of the market with the first buildings on the site. It gives a real feel of Rochford in times gone by.