Draft Bicester Conservation Area Appraisal November 2009

Figure 7: Old Photographs1900-1960s 2009This comparison shows the extent to which Market Square has become dominated by cars and theirassociated signage and clutter. The central listed buildings of no. 46, 48 & 51 look in much better repairand are still occupied by businesses on the ground floor. To the left of the photograph it is clear that arow of houses at the end of Sheep Street have been demolished to be replaced by the HSBC bank andthe Quadrant building.This photograph of Market Hill looks at first glance to display few differences; the same buildings arerecognisable. However the old photograph shows the buildings which have now been demolishedfronting Sheep Street and also the extent to which shop fronts design has changed during the lastcentury. The smaller divided glass and timber framed frontages have been replaced in many places bylarge single glazed panels with bulky and brightly coloured box signs. Awnings have been removedtaking shops back off the pavements and some of the brick buildings have been gentrified with renderand on no. 5 London Road a pediment doorcase.11