New Business Premises, Cheapside, Lancaster

These premises recently erected, form part of the Cheapside widening scheme which is now complete. Messrs Reddrop were the first to start on this work. The scheme as carried out consists of a two-storey shop to Cheapside with part three-storey in rear and four storeys in Lower Church Street. This is partly caused by the fall in the levels into Lower Church Street. Since the first portion was erected the Lower Church Street front has been extended, duplicating the portion first built. There are shops with arcade on the lower level, with stock rooms etc. connecting up to the old basement. The main ground floor of the premises (as also the first floor) extends over the whole area of the site with staff rooms, service rooms and office space placed on the upper floors in the rear portion. Ample entrances and staircases are provided for ease of communication to the different parts. A tearoom, with kitchens over, lavatories and cloak-room accommodation for staff and customers are also provided. The fronts are in dressed Lancaster stone, and steel framing forms an important part of the interior construction. The whole of the building is heated by hot water on the low pressure system. Electric lighting is provided throughout. Lamson pneumatic tubes are used for dealing with cash (controlled from the general office on the upper floor) and also for vacuum cleaning. Messrs Robert Thompson and Morris, of Lancaster, were the general contractors, and the following were the sub-contractors; Bannister Walton and Company, steelwork; Seward and Company, Preston, heating; Calvert and Heald, Lancaster, electric lighting; Waygood-Otis, lift work; Faldo and Company, asphalters. Mr C B Pearson FRIBA of Lancaster was the architect. [Builder 20 September 1929 page 464]

Reference           Builder 20 September 1929 page 464 and illustration