BRAINTREE POST OFFICE AND TELEPHONE EXCHANGE (1931)
Fairfield Road
Photograph © Carol Howard via Flickr
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Architect: David Dyke Year: 1931 Archive sources British Post Office Museum & Archives: POST 118/6246 (photograph) National Archives: WORK 13/1184 Selected bibliographical references Brick Builder Mar 1933, p. 216 Essex Chronicle 6 Mar 1925, p. 6; 12 Apr 1929, p. 9; 25 Sep 1931, p. 2 Essex Newsman 5 May 1928, p. 1 History Opened: 21 Sep 1931 Closed Current use: Jobcentre |
Building description
From: Essex Chronicle 25 September 1931, p. 2
... The new premises occupy a corner site to Fairfield Road and Victoria Street. 1,417 super yards in extent, and this was formerly part of the old Fairfield, having been sold by the Urban Council to the Post-office for the purpose. I was one of the conditions that the new Post-office should accord in structure with the new Town Hall, and it is a handsome building in red brick and stone. Over the main entrance door is a fine carving of the head of Mercury. The office is one of the largest and best in Essex, and is reputed to have cost £15,000. The front illuminated by a 250-watt electric reflector lamp, fitted on Messrs. Joscelynes' furniture store opposite, and as the Town Hall nearby is similarly lighted from the outside, the entrance to the town from the railway station to Market Place is rendered very brilliant at night. At the rear of the Post-office are garage accommodation, etc. Inside the new office is fitted with oak, and is most complete and up-to-date, and the size is large for a town like Braintree. Certainly expedition and despatch are accelerated in the extensive and ornate building, which adds quite a touch of distinction to the town. Inside the office are telephone exchanges and call boxes and outside, for the first time at Braintree, automatic call box is provided. The telephone arrangements have been made on the most up-to-date system, and for this the paths of the town have been excavated to lay new wires.
From: Essex Chronicle 25 September 1931, p. 2
... The new premises occupy a corner site to Fairfield Road and Victoria Street. 1,417 super yards in extent, and this was formerly part of the old Fairfield, having been sold by the Urban Council to the Post-office for the purpose. I was one of the conditions that the new Post-office should accord in structure with the new Town Hall, and it is a handsome building in red brick and stone. Over the main entrance door is a fine carving of the head of Mercury. The office is one of the largest and best in Essex, and is reputed to have cost £15,000. The front illuminated by a 250-watt electric reflector lamp, fitted on Messrs. Joscelynes' furniture store opposite, and as the Town Hall nearby is similarly lighted from the outside, the entrance to the town from the railway station to Market Place is rendered very brilliant at night. At the rear of the Post-office are garage accommodation, etc. Inside the new office is fitted with oak, and is most complete and up-to-date, and the size is large for a town like Braintree. Certainly expedition and despatch are accelerated in the extensive and ornate building, which adds quite a touch of distinction to the town. Inside the office are telephone exchanges and call boxes and outside, for the first time at Braintree, automatic call box is provided. The telephone arrangements have been made on the most up-to-date system, and for this the paths of the town have been excavated to lay new wires.
