Stables, Conway Road, Colwyn Bay

NEW MEWS AT COLWYN BAY - The subject of our illustration is the New Branch Mews for Mr J. Fred Francis, of The Woodlands. Development of his business and a desire to keep these Mews, as they have ever been, up-to-date and in the front rank, are the primary motives for this handsome pile of buildings being erected. As will be seen from our illustration, architectural appearance has not been sacrificed to business requirements the two have been gracefully welded the one into the other, and both fulfil their respective parts admirably.

The new premises are rapidly being pushed forward towards completion for occupation at Easter next. The accommodation will consist at that time on the basement, floor (although approached in the level from the roadway in front of the picturesque Brickfield Cottages) of stabling accommodation for 12 horses and coach house to hold the three stage coaches so well known in the country round about. A blacksmith's smithy will be provided on this floor also, where, as in the song, “the children will look in at the open door." On the floor above - really the ground floor of the premises—another 12-stail stable is provided with two loose boxes, and coach houses to accommodate 2S to 30 landaus also harness rooms, order office, sanitary conveniences, and staircase to enable horses to be taken down or brought up from the floor below are provided. Over these several rooms, spacious lofts for stores, chop, grain, etc., are provided. On the west angle of the premises, the future residence of Mr Francis is provided, (of a size as far as an ordinary individual can conjecture), amply large enough to comfortably put up Mr Francis and family for many years to come. The question of ventilation and sanitary work have had special attention from the Architects, who may be designated as “Sanitary Specialists," as they always give very careful consideration to these points in all buildings carried out under their supervision. The building for the most part will be constructed in red Ruabon stock bricks with stone dressings, relieved with half-timber work in some of the windows and gables. The idea of taking horses downstairs to their beds is somewhat original in this district, and specially constructed floors of concrete, supported with iron columns and beams, have been provided. The general contract for this, the first portion of the scheme, is being expeditiously carried out by Mr David Evans Jones, builder and contractor, Conway Road and the architects are Messrs Booth, Chadwick & Porter, of Station Road, Colwyn Bay, and 42, Oxford Street, Manchester, who. we all remember, were the firm entrusted by Mr Francis's predecessor, Mr Edwin Jones, to convert the chapel in Conway Road, opposite the North and South Wales Bank, into what are now and will still continue to be Mr Francis's Head Mews. In all probability, at the close of next season, the whole block will be finished, and this will just add as much again to the accommodation for the horses and carriages. [Weekly News 7 December 1901 page 5]

Reference           Weekly News for Colwyn Bay 7 December 1901 page 5