Caxton Hall., Chapel Street, Salford

Caxton Hall, the new premises of the Manchester Typographical Society were formally opened on Saturday. It is situated at the corner of Bury-street, Union-street and Chapel-street, Salford. The building is three storeys high and is faced externally with red Ruabon bricks and terra cotta, with Bath stone dressings and a slate roof. The style of architecture is a free treatment of the Renaissance. The ground floor is occupied on Chapel-street by three shops with basement accommodation if required. The main entrance is on Bury-street and is connected by a fireproof staircase and corridors with all parts of the building. The clubroom for the use of society members is on the ground floor with a separate entrance from Union-street; it has accommodation for 200 men, with cloakroom and lavatories conveniently placed. The first floor is arranged as offices, to be let to suitable tenants, a small portion being reserved for the use of the society. All the offices are well lighted and convenient, and connected by fireproof corridor with staircase. The second floor is occupied by a large hall and retiring room, amply lighted on all sides, and arranged to accommodate a meeting of 500 persons. A portion of this hall can be used separately if required. The lighting is by incandescent gas and heating by low pressure hot water pipes and radiators. The whole of the works has been executed from the designs and under the superintendence of Messrs. Smith and Matley, architects, 14 Ridgefield, Manchester. The contractor is Mr John Roberts, Derby-street, Chorlton-on-Medlock.

There was a large attendance at the opening ceremony. Mr W Hunt (president of the society) presided and among those present were ..... Messrs Smith and Matley, architects and J Roberts, builder. The official opening was followed by luncheon at the Grosvenor Hotel, Manchester, with considerable speech making, all carefully reported by the newspaper. Among the points made in the speeches - a building committee had been appointed on 22 March 1902. [Salford City Reporter. Saturday, 3 December 1904. Page 8. Col. 1-2]

The Caxton Hall, in Chapel‑street, Salford, was formally opened on Saturday. The building represents the realisation of an ideal long entertained by the Manchester Typographical Society, who have desired a rallying place for members of the trade. Tne promises comprise, besides the large assembly hall, a reading‑room for the unemployed members of the trade, and an office and boardroom for the society. There are other rooms which will be let off as offices. The total cost has been ,8.000, considerably more than was originally contemplated. [Building News 2 December 1904 page 790]

Reference    Salford City Reporter. Saturday, 3 December 1904. Page 8. Col. 1-2
Reference    Building News 2 December 1904 page 790
Reference    Manchester Evening Chronicle 18 October 1904 page 2 - with illustration