BISHOP'S STORTFORD POST OFFICE (1890)
15 Market Square
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Architect: George Pritchett Year: 1890 Selected bibliographical references Essex Newsman 5 Apr 1890, p. 1 History Opened: 31 Mar 1890 Closed: c.1921 Current use: Building society "Erected in 1890, it is thought that Pritchett incorporated into the construction a timber-framed house that already occupied the site. Later that same year the post office was modified by local builder Joseph Glasscock who installed one of the country’s first hydraulic lifts here. This was used to carry mail between the first floor sorting office and the street below where mail carts delivered and collected. Entrance to the post office was at the top of the stone steps leading to Market Square – a large doorway with ornate stone surround and the Royal Arms mounted in the portico." - Text from here |
Building description
From: Essex Newsman 5 April 1890, p. 1
With the outgoing mail on Sunday night the old Post-office in Bridge-street was closed for public business, and on Monday morning the new office in Market-square was opened. For a long time the old office had been miserably inadequate for the business, and, upon the butcher's shop by the side of the steps leading from Potter street into Devoil's lane being vacated by Mrs. Oxbrow, the owner, Mr. William Smith, decided to convert the premises, which are centrally situated, into a Post-office. His offer was accepted, and a handsome structure in the Italian style was built from the designs of Mr. G. E. Pritchett, of Oak Hall, Bishop Stortford by Messrs. J. L. Glasscock and Son. The clerk of the works was Mr. A. M. Warren, and the work was carried out under the personal supervision of Mr. J. L. Glasscock, jun. The new building is replete with all the latest improvements. A roomy public office leads into the sorting-room, and from this room the mail bags are despatched means of a lift to an apartment below, on the Devoil's-lane level, for transference into the mail carts. On the upper floor is a postman's room, where the men can enjoy themselves when not on duty. Above the offices are the postmistress's private apartments. About 50 years ago the business was transacted by a postmaster and postman, but the staff now consists of Mrs. Millard (postmistress for the last 17 years), four clerks of either sex, four town postmen, five rural postmen, and two telegraph boys, besides mailmen, &c. The opening was celebrated with unusual eclat. Flags were hung from the neighbouring buildings, and in the evening the Post-Office and Mr. Smith's offices were hung with fairy lamps, while gas illuminations, in the form of crowns, stars, and feathers, were blazing on the offices and the shop of Mr. Robert Brazier, plumber, Devoil's-lane. The band of the lst Herts R.V. was stationed in Market-square and played a selection of music. The streets were thronged with people, who heartily praised the enterprise of Mr. Smith in supplying a long-felt want.
With the outgoing mail on Sunday night the old Post-office in Bridge-street was closed for public business, and on Monday morning the new office in Market-square was opened. For a long time the old office had been miserably inadequate for the business, and, upon the butcher's shop by the side of the steps leading from Potter street into Devoil's lane being vacated by Mrs. Oxbrow, the owner, Mr. William Smith, decided to convert the premises, which are centrally situated, into a Post-office. His offer was accepted, and a handsome structure in the Italian style was built from the designs of Mr. G. E. Pritchett, of Oak Hall, Bishop Stortford by Messrs. J. L. Glasscock and Son. The clerk of the works was Mr. A. M. Warren, and the work was carried out under the personal supervision of Mr. J. L. Glasscock, jun. The new building is replete with all the latest improvements. A roomy public office leads into the sorting-room, and from this room the mail bags are despatched means of a lift to an apartment below, on the Devoil's-lane level, for transference into the mail carts. On the upper floor is a postman's room, where the men can enjoy themselves when not on duty. Above the offices are the postmistress's private apartments. About 50 years ago the business was transacted by a postmaster and postman, but the staff now consists of Mrs. Millard (postmistress for the last 17 years), four clerks of either sex, four town postmen, five rural postmen, and two telegraph boys, besides mailmen, &c. The opening was celebrated with unusual eclat. Flags were hung from the neighbouring buildings, and in the evening the Post-Office and Mr. Smith's offices were hung with fairy lamps, while gas illuminations, in the form of crowns, stars, and feathers, were blazing on the offices and the shop of Mr. Robert Brazier, plumber, Devoil's-lane. The band of the lst Herts R.V. was stationed in Market-square and played a selection of music. The streets were thronged with people, who heartily praised the enterprise of Mr. Smith in supplying a long-felt want.
