Manchester Corn Exchange

The first statutory meeting of the shareholders of the new Corn Exchange Company was held on 10 April 1891 at the Corn Exchange, Hanging Ditch; Henry Boddington, the chairman, presiding.  In a lengthy report the chairman explained that the new directors had taken over control of the Corn Exchange on 1 January 1891.  He also stated that “Plans of the new buildings had not yet been prepared but the architects had been chosen (Messrs Ball and Elce) and though they were young men they had been trained in a good school, and he doubted not that they would win for themselves a high reputation.”  ....   Speaking in a personal capacity Mr Alderman Mark, the Mayor of Manchester, who was also present, commented on the proposed plans for the new building. “Without in the least degree reflecting on the capacity of the gentlemen chosen as architects, he said he would have preferred that the directors had invited competitive designs, because in a matter of this kind it was desirable to have the very best possible arrangements. The chairman said he did not think that to ask for competitive designs was always the best way of getting the best architects. A few days ago he saw the Produce Exchange of New York, the finest in the world, and they would probably take an idea from it.”

Reference    Manchester Guardian 11 April 1891 page 6
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 2 April 1892 Page 4 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester City News 2 April 1892 Page 8