BLACKBURN POST OFFICE (1880)
Lord Street West
Architect: James Williams
Year: 1880
Selected bibliographical references
Blackburn Standard 24 Apr 1880, p. 2
History
Demolished: 1960s
Year: 1880
Selected bibliographical references
Blackburn Standard 24 Apr 1880, p. 2
History
Demolished: 1960s
Building description
From: Blackburn Standard 24 April 1880, p. 2
... The plans were prepared by Mr. Williams, of London, and the building has been erected by Messrs. Neil and Sons, Manchester, the cost originally estimated being about £7,000. Tue actual outlay on the building, however, will be considerably more than this, in consequence of the "extras." Building operations were commenced in March, 1879, and have been since pushed forward very rapidly, the offices having to be opened before the end of June next. The new pile has an excellent and attractive outside appearance, being built in the classic style of architecture, with basement floor, ground floor, and first and second floors. The basement, comprising the cellars, contains store-room, coal place, linesman's room, retiring rooms for the clerks and letter-carriers, with water closets, urinals, &c. The ground floor contains the public office, which measures 31ft. 7in. by 35ft. It has an entrance hall 10 feet wide, and at the back of it is a sorting office measuring 51 feet by 27 feet, with a fire-place at either end, and is exceedingly well lighted. The first floor contains postmaster's room, porter's kitchen and bedroom, and a store room; and on the landing is erected postmaster's water closet and lavatory, and lavatories for the clerks. On the second floor is the telegraph instrument room, which measures 31 feet 7 inches by 20 feet 3 inches, with the clerk's retiring room and the messenger boys' room. Lavatory and water closets are also provided for the clerks. The post-office has a frontage of 45 feet, the width of the building, and extends in length 100 feet from front to rear. It has a large front entrance from Lord-street, and three large windows on the ground floor. The first and second floors have four large windows each in the front. The windows are square headed with stone dressings. From the ground floor to the first floor it is built of stove and above is brick, the whole being surmounted with a cornice and the words inscribed thereon in large letters, "Post Office." The building is in every respect a suitable one, and will supply the requirements of the town to the utmost extent for many years to come, the postal and telegraphic department being admirably arranged.
... The plans were prepared by Mr. Williams, of London, and the building has been erected by Messrs. Neil and Sons, Manchester, the cost originally estimated being about £7,000. Tue actual outlay on the building, however, will be considerably more than this, in consequence of the "extras." Building operations were commenced in March, 1879, and have been since pushed forward very rapidly, the offices having to be opened before the end of June next. The new pile has an excellent and attractive outside appearance, being built in the classic style of architecture, with basement floor, ground floor, and first and second floors. The basement, comprising the cellars, contains store-room, coal place, linesman's room, retiring rooms for the clerks and letter-carriers, with water closets, urinals, &c. The ground floor contains the public office, which measures 31ft. 7in. by 35ft. It has an entrance hall 10 feet wide, and at the back of it is a sorting office measuring 51 feet by 27 feet, with a fire-place at either end, and is exceedingly well lighted. The first floor contains postmaster's room, porter's kitchen and bedroom, and a store room; and on the landing is erected postmaster's water closet and lavatory, and lavatories for the clerks. On the second floor is the telegraph instrument room, which measures 31 feet 7 inches by 20 feet 3 inches, with the clerk's retiring room and the messenger boys' room. Lavatory and water closets are also provided for the clerks. The post-office has a frontage of 45 feet, the width of the building, and extends in length 100 feet from front to rear. It has a large front entrance from Lord-street, and three large windows on the ground floor. The first and second floors have four large windows each in the front. The windows are square headed with stone dressings. From the ground floor to the first floor it is built of stove and above is brick, the whole being surmounted with a cornice and the words inscribed thereon in large letters, "Post Office." The building is in every respect a suitable one, and will supply the requirements of the town to the utmost extent for many years to come, the postal and telegraphic department being admirably arranged.