Parcels Office. Victoria Station, Manchester

The new Parcels department is described by the architect of the Company as follows: The site of these buildings covers an area of 2,540 superficial yards, of which 1,805 superficial yards are covered by the buildings, the remaining 735 superficial yards being devoted to yard space for the parcel vans. A loading stage with overhanging roof occupies the whole of one side of this yard, which is 145(?) feet long. This office, which is for the delivery and forwarding of parcels by the Company’s vans, has glazed sash windows the whole length, opening into the parcels house. There is also a receiving counter for parcels brought by ** with *** from the foot of the approach to No * platform. The parcels office occupies nearly the whole of the bottom storey, and has a floor area of 1,216 superficial yards, and communicates with No 3 platform by means of two hydraulic lifts, each 9 feet by 8(?)feet 6 inches, which will be worked from the Corporation’s hydraulic mains. The passenger superintendent’s offices are over the parcels office, and are approached from No 8 platform by two entrances. The corridors and staircases are built of fireproof materials, the offices being lofty and well lighted, and are ventilated by Sherringham’s inlets, with outlets communicating with ventilating turrets on the roof. The whole of the offices will be warmed by hot water on the high pressure system, and lighted by electricity. The buildings, which are faced with buff bricks with brick and stone dressings, will greatly improve the appearance of the approach to the station from Great Ducie Street. [Manchester Guardian 20 September 1894 page 5]

Built on site of Manchester’s old fish market and partially damaged as a result of bombing during World War II; it was demolished for the construction of the Manchester Arena.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 20 September 1894 page 5
Reference    Tom Wray: Manchester Victoria Station pages 64-72