BARNSTAPLE POST OFFICE (1902)
10 Cross Street
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Architect: Frederick Petter Year: 1902 Listed building status: Grade II Selected bibliographical references Builder 15 Jun 1901, p. 591 North Devon Journal 12 Sep 1902, p. 6; 2 Oct 1902, p. 5; 9 Oct 1902, p. 3, 16 Oct 1902, Western Times 12 Apr 1902, p. 5 History Opened: 13 Oct 1902 Closed Current use: Office and residential accommodation |
Building description
From: Western Times 12 April 1902, p. 5
In a few months' time Barnstaple will be the richer by another fine piece of architecture in the shape of the new post office premises in Cross-street, which are now rapidly approaching completion, and which will be an an ornament of no mean importance to the town. Mr. Woodley, the courteous postmaster, saw, on his taking up the position which he so worthily fills, the urgent necessity of enlarged premises, and it is in a great measure through his exertions that the present radical change is being made.
Externally the building, which is next door to the old post ofiice, will be pleasing to the eye, the whole of the front being of Bath stone. The total height is somewhere about 50ft., and the frontage is 46ft. The depth of the building is very nearly 100 ft., and the extreme width 73ft, so from these figures it will be seen that the new post office will cover a considerable amount of ground. Along the eaves is a balustrade of Bath stone, with carved pillars three feet high, and in the centre rises a circular ornamental window. Above the lower windows are the words,
POST - E.R. - OFFICE
in raised Bath stone. The public office, approached from Cross-street, is 31ft. 6in. by 30ft., and in this will he placed a curved counter 40ft. in length. The present counter in the old office is barely 16ft. long! In the front office, which will be panelled [sic] to a height of 8ft. with pitch pine, with a walnut heading will be situated the telephone box. A much-needed innovation will be the provision of a letter-box on the counter in addition to the one outside.
At the back will be situated the sorting and postmen's room, the dimensions of which are 60ft. by 31ft. This room is to be particularly well lighted by means of a glazed and raised " lantern " roof, and each and every man will be under the eye of the head clerk, for whom a special desk is being built some four feet above the floor level. The whole of the ground floor is to be laid with wood blocks, which will both warm, comfortable, and clean. The parcel office abuts on Castle-street, and as all the mails, etc., will be loaded and unloaded here, there will no inconvenience to the public whatever. The postmen and messengers will also use a side entrance. The room for the telegraph linesmen will be under the same roof instead of at Holland-street, as at present. On the first floor - which is approached by a broad, handsome stairway from the front, and | also by a staircase at the back - are several : large well-lit rooms for the use of the postmaster, telegraph operators, officials, and messenger boys. Above this again, on the second floor, are situated the store-rooms and the caretaker's quarters. The building will be thoroughly equipped with every modern convenience, whilst, separate retiring rooms will be provided for the male and female employes [sic]. At present whole of the work is done by men, but it may be news to Barumites to learn that when Mr. Woodley moves in to his new premises - which he expects to do in three or four months – lady operators are to be taken on. It is also probable that at about the same time telephonic communication will be opened up with Exeter.
The plans for the new building were prepared by Mr. Petter and the builders are Messrs. Woolaway, Bros., of Barnstaple.
In a few months' time Barnstaple will be the richer by another fine piece of architecture in the shape of the new post office premises in Cross-street, which are now rapidly approaching completion, and which will be an an ornament of no mean importance to the town. Mr. Woodley, the courteous postmaster, saw, on his taking up the position which he so worthily fills, the urgent necessity of enlarged premises, and it is in a great measure through his exertions that the present radical change is being made.
Externally the building, which is next door to the old post ofiice, will be pleasing to the eye, the whole of the front being of Bath stone. The total height is somewhere about 50ft., and the frontage is 46ft. The depth of the building is very nearly 100 ft., and the extreme width 73ft, so from these figures it will be seen that the new post office will cover a considerable amount of ground. Along the eaves is a balustrade of Bath stone, with carved pillars three feet high, and in the centre rises a circular ornamental window. Above the lower windows are the words,
POST - E.R. - OFFICE
in raised Bath stone. The public office, approached from Cross-street, is 31ft. 6in. by 30ft., and in this will he placed a curved counter 40ft. in length. The present counter in the old office is barely 16ft. long! In the front office, which will be panelled [sic] to a height of 8ft. with pitch pine, with a walnut heading will be situated the telephone box. A much-needed innovation will be the provision of a letter-box on the counter in addition to the one outside.
At the back will be situated the sorting and postmen's room, the dimensions of which are 60ft. by 31ft. This room is to be particularly well lighted by means of a glazed and raised " lantern " roof, and each and every man will be under the eye of the head clerk, for whom a special desk is being built some four feet above the floor level. The whole of the ground floor is to be laid with wood blocks, which will both warm, comfortable, and clean. The parcel office abuts on Castle-street, and as all the mails, etc., will be loaded and unloaded here, there will no inconvenience to the public whatever. The postmen and messengers will also use a side entrance. The room for the telegraph linesmen will be under the same roof instead of at Holland-street, as at present. On the first floor - which is approached by a broad, handsome stairway from the front, and | also by a staircase at the back - are several : large well-lit rooms for the use of the postmaster, telegraph operators, officials, and messenger boys. Above this again, on the second floor, are situated the store-rooms and the caretaker's quarters. The building will be thoroughly equipped with every modern convenience, whilst, separate retiring rooms will be provided for the male and female employes [sic]. At present whole of the work is done by men, but it may be news to Barumites to learn that when Mr. Woodley moves in to his new premises - which he expects to do in three or four months – lady operators are to be taken on. It is also probable that at about the same time telephonic communication will be opened up with Exeter.
The plans for the new building were prepared by Mr. Petter and the builders are Messrs. Woolaway, Bros., of Barnstaple.
