Municipal Buildings, Denbigh. (Architectural Competition)

The scheme included a magistrates' court, corporation offices, and a council-chamber, with a small assembly hall. These wining plans, as described below, were eventually rescinded by the council, owing to the opposition of the ratepayers.  See also Town Hall and Market Buildings, Denbigh.

New Municipal Buildings for Denbigh. COLWYN BAY ARCHITECTS SUCCESSFUL. A few weeks ago the Denbigh Town Council offered three prizes of £75, £50 and £25 for the best plans of new Municipal Buildings, including a Public Hall to seat 2000 persons, Council Chamber, Magistrate- Room, Town Hall, Fire Brigade rooms, Markets and various Offices. Thirty-two sets of plans were received. These were examined by Messrs. Leaming and Leaming, architects, Westminster, and the members of the Council. The result was made Known on Saturday morning as follows:  First prize, Messrs. Porter and Elcock, Colwyn Bay; second, Mr. A. Fairdale, Kinton Lodge, York; third, Messrs. Hugh Mackintosh and Newman, Holborn, London. The buildings will cost from £10,000 to £15,000, and their erection will of course depend on the sanction of the Local Government Board being received.

The buildings designed by Messrs. Porter and Elcock will be carried out in the local limestone with dressings of York or other suitable stone, and the design is on the lines of the best Scottish Baronial work, which seemed in every way suitable to the historical antecedents of the ancient town of Denbigh, which has been the very centre of stirring episodes for many centuries. The large public hall shown, to seat 2000, with a large stage, dressing rooms, etc., will be carried out mainly in reinforced concrete with large roomy galleries carried on cantilevers without any supporting columns to intercept the view of the audience. The judgment of the assessors when announced to the Council was unanimously confirmed, after all the plans had been inspected by the members present. [North Wales Weekly News 14 October 1910 page 8]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED BUILDINGS. The buildings designed by Messrs Porter and Elcock will be carried out in the local limestone with dressings of York or other suitable stone, and the design is on the lines of the best Scottish Baronial work, which seemed in every way suitable to the historical antecedents of the ancient Town of Denbigh, which has been the very centre of stirring episodes for many centuries, and the design is calculated to retain and enhance those features, combined with the dignity and simplicity becoming to such a neighbourhood. ACCOMMODATION has all been fully provided for, at the same time the most rigid economy has been exercised in the planning to eliminate all waste space and useless corridors. The result of this is seen in the statement of costs. COUNCIL CHAMBER - On the principal facade, on the first floor, with ample seating room and convenient committee rooms, Mayor's parlour, public gallery, etc. CORPORATION OFFICES.—The Sanitary Inspector, Rate Collector and Borough Accountant on the ground floor, as being most convenient for their work. The Town Clerk and Borough Surveyor are on the first floor in close touch with the Council chamber, and with well-lighted rooms. A stair is provided to this wing to avoid the public use of the main stair- case, which is on the other side of the building leading to the Council chamber, Mayor's parlour, &c. MAGISTRATES' COURT  - In the centre front block with large domed ceiling light. The magistrates' and jury rooms are approached by the main entrance, and it is thought these might serve as committee rooms if required, and also as ladies' and gentlemen's retiring rooms for the town hall when used for balls, receptions, &c. A large witnesses' waiting hall (with separate women's waiting room and solicitor's consulting room) is provided opening from Crown-lane. The police office is also here, with two cells in basement, communicating directly with dock in court room. THE TOWN HALL opens off Crown-lane, and may be entirely disconnected from the rest of the building, or may be used in conjunction therewith as before suggested. Ample seating for 470 persons and a choir of 50 in addition, with artistes' retiring rooms, and small gallery at back of hall. MARKETS - Particular attention has been given to these to give well lighted ample halls, yet without waste space, with room for re-arrangement of stalls if desired. The butter market remains in the Chapel- place ground floor. FIRE BRIGADE - Opens off the widened Crown-lane, with large swing doors, the engines standing immediately behind same, side by side. A brigade committee room is arranged for, and drying tower for hose, also, pit for examining engine and for washing hose, etc. PUBLIC HALL to comfortably seat 2,000 people, with separate ample staircases to gallery and main hall, and emergency exits, large stage, with artistes' dressing rooms, &c. It will be carried out mainly in reinforced concrete, and the large roomy gallery carried on cantilevers without any supporting columns to intercept the view of the audience. BOILER AND ENGINE ROOMS in basement and on ground floor of market building, with direct access from yard off Crown Lane. THE SOUP KITCHEN is in same position as at present, with top light and suitable ingress and egress arrangements. CLOCK TOWER - The strong room is provided in the tower basement—from ground floor a substantial stone stair leads to the corridor for Council chamber. In the upper portion two large store rooms are provided for the Town Clerk, with clock room over. SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS have been carefully considered, and are separately provided for Council use, magistrates, corporation officials, jury, town hall, female witnesses, public convenience, etc. REINFORCED CONCRETE WILL BE USED FOR FLOORS throughout, and for main gallery beams in large hall and elsewhere. Concreted floors in offices, court room, and assembly hall and toilet room covered with composition “doloment” flooring, Council chamber, Mayor's parlour, magistrates' room, etc., to have wood block floors on concrete. The town hall to have wood joisted floor, etc., for dancing, finished with narrow-width flooring boards. Markets to be finished with cement floors. DRAINAGE is carried out on modern and most approved lines, with necessary inspection chambers and ventilation shafts, and drains laid to proper falls and well jointed with cement. [Denbighshire Free Press 15 October 1910 page 5]

Reference        North Wales Weekly News 14 October 1910 page 8
Reference        Denbighshire Free Press 15 October 1910 page 5