Building Name

Holyoake House Hanover Street Manchester

Date
1911
Street
Hanover Street
District/Town
Central, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
The Co-operative Union Ltd
Work
New Build
Listed
Grade II

NEW CENTRAL PREMISES. Through the generosity of the co operative societies the Co operative Union has at last been enabled to find a permanent home in which to carry on its increasing work. The sum of £26,004 14s. 11d. has been given by the societies for the purpose of erecting suitable premises capable of accommodating the Union and giving increased facilities for carrying on propaganda work, and also for its educational activities.

Holyoake House, the name of the new headquarters of the Co-operative Union, has been erected by the building department of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, under the supervision of Mr F E L Harris (architect), and is situate in Hanover Street, Manchester. The buildings are built on fire resisting lines, with concrete and wood block floors; the elevations are in slightly glazed terra cotta. The ground floor is mainly occupied by the general offices, private offices, typewriters' room, cloakroom, etc. On the first floor is situated the Boardroom, General Secretary's office, clerks' office, also an office for the solicitor (which is used as a sub-committee room), library, and waiting room. On the second floor is the lecture room, which is divided by folding partitions, and can be used as three class rooms; adjoining, there is a social room, and offices for the Educational Secretary and the Secretary of the North Western Section. In the basement there are large store rooms, packing room, and strong room.The opening ceremony took place on 11th November, 1911.

Reference           44th Annual Co-operative Congress Report 1912 page 101-102