BURNLEY POST OFFICE (1879)
50 Manchester Road
Photograph © Julian Osley
|
Architect: James Williams Year: 1879 Archive sources National Archives: WORK 69/6 (photograph) Selected bibliographical references Burnley Advertiser 1 Nov 1879, p. 6 Burnley Express 1 Nov 1879, p. 5 Burnley Gazette 5 July 1879, p. 8 History Opened: 30 Oct 1879 Closed: 1905 Current use: Office accommodation |
Building description
From: Burnley Advertiser 1 November 1879, p. 6
On Thursday morning the officials connected with the Burnley Post Office removed from the old, dingy, and inconvenient premises to the new building which has been erected opposite the Exchange in Manchester-road. The erection of this commodious structure marks a new era in the history of the post office in this town, and the convenience of the public, as well as the post office officials, has been carefully consunlted. The old building was ridiculously inadequate for the requirements of such an important borough as Burnley, and the erection of the structure under notice cannot fail to supply a long felt want. In the old premises there was no postmaster's office, and the convenience for the public was of the most meagre and unsatisfactory character. Tbe new post office was commenced about 18 months ago, and it was originally intended that it should have been opened last May, but owing principally to the inclemency of the weather during last winter, building operations were suspended for some time, and the opening had consequently to be postponed. The building as it now stands has basement and ground floor, the latter of which is divided into several rooms, in which the general work connected with the post office will carried on. The largest room, which is 32 feet by 26 feet, and which will be used for the purpose or sorting, is very well lighted, and possesses in addition to a window facing Manchester-road a skylight which can be opened when necessary for the purpose of ventilation. The whole of the rooms are lofty and the general arrangements are good. The comfort of the officials and the convenience of the public seem to have been carefully studied by the architect, whose plans have been admirably carried out by Mr. T. C. Howard, contractor, of Burnley. In the sorting room to which we have referred there a large table with four divisions. There is an opening table and at each side there a space fitted up with India rubber which will be used for the purpose of stamping the letters. This table is placed in the centre of the room in close proximity to the sorting table, which will be used by the letter carriers in making up their parcels for delivery. Near to this again is another small table with five divisions which will be used by the rural letter carriers, of which there are five. The telegraph instrument room is fitted up with a large table and five instruments are staged. The size of this room is 20 feet by 12 feet. The public office, 22 feet by 18 feet, presents a remarkable contrast to the one in the old and now forsaken building. This room is fitted with substantial mahogany desks, one of which will be used for money order advices, and the other for registered letters and telegrams. There is in addition a long counter facing which are three small desks for the convenience of parties desiring to despatch telegrams. This is perhaps the only defect in the general arrangements. We imagine it would have been better if more accommodation had been afforded in this respect. Telegrams will be sent from the public room to the instrument room means of a pneumatic machine, which we have seen in operation, and which appears to do its work remarkably well. The telegrams are placed small leathern pockets, and these are forced through a brass pipe means of compressed air, the active force of which is generated by turning a wheel. The postmaster's room, 18 feet 10 feet, which is not yet completely fitted up, and which is an entirely new feature, there being no such room the old premises, will as soon as other matters are arranged be well and comfortably furnished. At present Mr. Payne is the clerk charge, and his courteous and obliging demeanour have secured for him great respect. In the basement of the building there are retiring rooms for the persons working the instruments, for the letter carriers, and for the clerks, and each of these is fitted up with ovens for cooking, &c. The total contract, we understand, amounts to upwards £2,000. One important feature in connection with the new building ought not to be lost sight of. There are four clocks all worked by one set of machinery, which are regulated diurnally by Greenwich time. One of these clocks overlooks Manchester-road, and this of itself will prove of the highest advantage to the public generally. On Wednesday the new premises were visited the Mayor and the members of the Corporation.
On Thursday morning the officials connected with the Burnley Post Office removed from the old, dingy, and inconvenient premises to the new building which has been erected opposite the Exchange in Manchester-road. The erection of this commodious structure marks a new era in the history of the post office in this town, and the convenience of the public, as well as the post office officials, has been carefully consunlted. The old building was ridiculously inadequate for the requirements of such an important borough as Burnley, and the erection of the structure under notice cannot fail to supply a long felt want. In the old premises there was no postmaster's office, and the convenience for the public was of the most meagre and unsatisfactory character. Tbe new post office was commenced about 18 months ago, and it was originally intended that it should have been opened last May, but owing principally to the inclemency of the weather during last winter, building operations were suspended for some time, and the opening had consequently to be postponed. The building as it now stands has basement and ground floor, the latter of which is divided into several rooms, in which the general work connected with the post office will carried on. The largest room, which is 32 feet by 26 feet, and which will be used for the purpose or sorting, is very well lighted, and possesses in addition to a window facing Manchester-road a skylight which can be opened when necessary for the purpose of ventilation. The whole of the rooms are lofty and the general arrangements are good. The comfort of the officials and the convenience of the public seem to have been carefully studied by the architect, whose plans have been admirably carried out by Mr. T. C. Howard, contractor, of Burnley. In the sorting room to which we have referred there a large table with four divisions. There is an opening table and at each side there a space fitted up with India rubber which will be used for the purpose of stamping the letters. This table is placed in the centre of the room in close proximity to the sorting table, which will be used by the letter carriers in making up their parcels for delivery. Near to this again is another small table with five divisions which will be used by the rural letter carriers, of which there are five. The telegraph instrument room is fitted up with a large table and five instruments are staged. The size of this room is 20 feet by 12 feet. The public office, 22 feet by 18 feet, presents a remarkable contrast to the one in the old and now forsaken building. This room is fitted with substantial mahogany desks, one of which will be used for money order advices, and the other for registered letters and telegrams. There is in addition a long counter facing which are three small desks for the convenience of parties desiring to despatch telegrams. This is perhaps the only defect in the general arrangements. We imagine it would have been better if more accommodation had been afforded in this respect. Telegrams will be sent from the public room to the instrument room means of a pneumatic machine, which we have seen in operation, and which appears to do its work remarkably well. The telegrams are placed small leathern pockets, and these are forced through a brass pipe means of compressed air, the active force of which is generated by turning a wheel. The postmaster's room, 18 feet 10 feet, which is not yet completely fitted up, and which is an entirely new feature, there being no such room the old premises, will as soon as other matters are arranged be well and comfortably furnished. At present Mr. Payne is the clerk charge, and his courteous and obliging demeanour have secured for him great respect. In the basement of the building there are retiring rooms for the persons working the instruments, for the letter carriers, and for the clerks, and each of these is fitted up with ovens for cooking, &c. The total contract, we understand, amounts to upwards £2,000. One important feature in connection with the new building ought not to be lost sight of. There are four clocks all worked by one set of machinery, which are regulated diurnally by Greenwich time. One of these clocks overlooks Manchester-road, and this of itself will prove of the highest advantage to the public generally. On Wednesday the new premises were visited the Mayor and the members of the Corporation.
