The Georgian Legacy
In the eighteenth century the city experienced another revival and several fine brick-built town houses replaced the now unfashionable timber framed structures. Many fine public and ecclesiastical buildings were built in the classical style during this period of civic renewal.
The Georgian period was also a period of commercial expansion and the city had to be significantly remodelled to cope with increased traffic volumes. Westgate Street and the Cross were substantially widened and the historic Eastgate was demolished. By 1770, the appearance of the city had fundamentally changed as brick replaced timber in the city centre and urban sprawl developed.