The building was given a Victorian facade and was used as a pharmacy in the nineteenth century. Its historical significance was not recognised until 2001 when it was
Grade II* listed after the medieval timber framing was exposed during renovation work. It is currently used as an
estate agent's. The building received two grants from
English Heritage, one for investigations and one for conservation work. Dr
Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said "This is an amazing discovery. It gives an extraordinary insight into how Berkhamsted High Street would have looked in medieval times." Initially, the investigations suggested that it had always been a shop, as there was evidence for the existence of a
jeweller or
goldsmith's shop with a workshop behind. This generated headlines to the effect that the country's "oldest shop" had been discovered. The age of the building would make it a contender for the title, but there is doubt about how long it served as a shop. It is now believed to have originally been a jettied service wing to a larger aisled
hall house, which has since disappeared. ==See also==