The Fielden Coffee Tavern, Todmorden
The Fielden Temperance Hotel and Coffee Tavern, Fielden Square / Pavement, also known as The New Coffee Tavern, was opened on 30 December 1880 by the Bishop of Manchester. It was built at a cost of £4,000 by John Fielden for his second wife, Ellen, a strong supporter of the Temperance movement. In 1884, the Conservative Association rented a part of the building, and later bought the whole property. On 7th March 1913, its use as a coffee tavern ceased.
COFFEE TAVERN TEMPERANCE HOTEL, TODMORDEN - These premises are now erecting in the central part of the town by John Fielden Esq., Dobroyd Castle. The walls to the two fronts will be of pitch-faced parpoints, with tooled York dressings. The windows above transoms will be filled with lead lights (omitted in the drawings), the roofs covered with red tiles. The works are being executed by local contractors. Mr. William Henry Atkinson, mason; Mr. James Booth, joiner; Messrs. Samuel Barnes and Sons, slaters and tilers; Messrs. Whitaker, plumber and glazier; and Mr. James Blacka, plasterer. The architect is Mr. Jesse Horsfall, of Todmorden. [Building News 18 June 1880]
OPENING OF THE FIELDEN TEMPERANCE HOTEL AND COFFEE TAVERN – Yesterday the Bishop of Manchester visited Todmorden for the purpose of taking part in the opening of the premises bearing the above name. The hotel is situate at Pavement, being built upon the site of the house formerly occupied by Mr G Stansfield as a temperance house, the adjoining house and a cottage at the rear. The hotel has been built by John Fielden Esq of Dobroyd Castle, and is one more proof of his desire to do good to his fellow townsmen. The former buildings were purchased by Mr Fielden but a short time ago, and almost immediately Mr Jesse Horsfall, of Bridge Street, was entrusted with the preparation of plans for the erection of a suitable building; the work of pulling down the old buildings and the erecting the new one has been vigorously prosecuted during the fine weather of the last summer, and at the opening yesterday almost everything was in order.
DESCRIPTION – The hotel is a three-storey building, and is most substantially built of stone. Two of its sides are on main thoroughfares – one to Pavement, and the other to King Street, or Hanging Ditch. The fronts are built of pitch faced pierpoints with Yorkshire stone dressings; the roof is covered with red tiles which give a warm appearance. The Pavement front has an entrance in the centre, with windows on each side, one set belonging to the commercial room and the other to the coffee room. The entrance to the coffee room is at the corner of the building facing towards the canal bridge, and other windows look into King Street; beyond these is a bay window both on the ground and first floors. All the windows have mullions and transoms, the portions above the transoms being filled with leaded lights and cathedral glass; several of these windows can be opened for the purpose of ventilation. The rest of the building is built of native stone. Over each entrance id a globular lamp, one bearing the name “Fielden Coffee Tavern,” and the other “Temperance Hotel.” The style of architecture is English of the seventeenth century, slightly varied by the introduction of a little of the style in vogue in the reign of Queen Ann, and looks very handsome, and forms quite an ornament to that part of the town and a fitting companion building to the handsome Unitarian church which stands on the hill above it.
On entering the tavern, the visitor finds himself in a large room, 26 feet by 18 feet 6 inches, on one side of which is a handsome oak counter with marble top, on which are placed all the necessary paraphernalia of a well-regulated coffee and refreshment bar. Behind this counter is a splendid piece of workmanship in the shape of an oak sideboard, the back of which is fitted with mirrors and in the centre pediment is a clock. The counter and sideboard are the work of Mr James Booth, Smithy Holme. Along each side of this room are small tables and oak stools for the use of persons frequenting the bar. Over the mantlepiece is a handsome mirror in oak frame, and the mantlepiece is also of oak. The floor, like all the floors in the public part of the hotel, is covered with linoleum. Passing thro ugh the bar we come to the Bar-parlour or Smoke Room, which measures 18 feet by 14 feet, and has a bay window into King Street. This room is seated round, the seats being upholstered, and is also furnished with small tables like those in the bar. It also has a mirror and mantlepiece to correspond. The ranges in both rooms (and indeed throughout the building, excepting the kitchen) are of the Queen Anne style.
Commercial travellers and others taking up their abode at the hotel will use the entrance in Pavement. Immediately on opening the door we enter a vestibule, the floor and dado of which are tiled, as is also the hall beyond. On the right-hand side of the hall is the commercial room 17 feet by 15 feet, overlooking Pavement and lighted by a five-light window It is furnished with two easy chairs, ten small ones, two Davenports, and one settee, all upholstered in woollen, and of unique design; there is also a large extending dining-table and a vey handsome sideboard, all in oak. The furniture in this room and in the rest of the hotel has with very slight exception been specially designed by the architect, and manufactured by Sutcliffe Brothers, Industrial Street. The room has a very handsome and comfortable appearance. It is furnished with a mirror like the other rooms previously described; the mantlepiece is of walnut – the only one in the hotel which is not of oak. Beyond this and across the hall is a spacious kitchen, fitted with a large-sized Leamington range and every requisite for cooking. A lavatory, etc. adjoin the kitchen.
A very handsome staircase of pitch-pine with oak handrail leads to the upper floors. Over the coffee bar is a room of like dimensions, which is now set apart for a club room, but which is intended for a billiard room as soon as a licence can be got, which will not be until next August. The room will not be able to be used for its ultimate purpose and is not furnished and is the only room in the house which is in this condition. A door opens from this room into the manager’s private room over the bar-parlour, which is handsomely furnished with mahogany furniture supplied by Mr Baxendale of Manchester. This room has a very pleasant appearance. It can be entered without going through the billiard room, by a door from the landing. There is also on this floor three bedrooms, lavatory, bathroom, and WC. All the bedrooms are furnished with iron bedsteads, pitch-pine chairs washstands and dressing tables, all of special design, the washstands in particular being unique in character. The bedroom furniture has also been furnished by Messrs Sutcliffe.
Besides the tradesmen named as having supplied portions of the fittings and furnishings, we may mention that all the mantelpieces have been made by Mr Booth; the marble and grates have been supplied by Messrs Leech Brothers, Manchester; the mirrors and linoleum by Mr Baxendale; the cutlery plates fireirons and clocks, etc. by Mr Joseph Lingard, Shudehill, Manchester; the blinds (which have a very pleasant and warm aspect) and part of the bed linen by Mr S B Priestly, Cheapside; and other portions of the bed linen by Mr John Fletcher, Churchgate. The crockery is all of the old-fashioned blue willow pattern, and every piece, as well as the cutlery, plate, etc. bears the name of the “Fielden Coffee Tavern.” The cost of the structure with the furnishings, is stated to be from £4,000 to £5,000 and the whole cost has been defrayed by Mr Fielden.
The contractors for the various structural works have been: Mr. W. H. Atkinson and Son, mason; Mr James Booth, Smithy-holme, joiner; Messrs. S. Barnes and Sons, Todmorden, slating; Mrs. H. Whitaker, Dale-street, plumbing etc; Mr. James. Blacka, Todmorden, plastering, all of Todmorden. [Todmorden and District News 31 December 1880 page 8]
OPENING OF THE FIELDEN COFFEE TAVERN BY BISHOP FRASER - Yesterday afternoon the handsome and newly-built coffee tavern and temperance hotel at Pavement – erected by John Fielden Esa for the convenience and benefit of the town – was formally opened to the public.
The exterior of the building has a striking very pleasing appearance, having many bold, unique, and conspicuous architectural points. In general design, and in details, the idea of the architect seems to have been to avoid everything familiar and common-place, and to combine new ideas—or rather, we should say, to introduce and localise some of the best features of styles foreign to this neighbourhood. The general features of the exterior of the building are of the 17th century English period, but there are some important variations. The interior furnishings (with the exception of two or three rooms) are strictly in the style of the Queen Anne period, now extensively revived, but respecting this we may have a few more details to add. The building stands upon an irregular site at the bottom of HoneyhoIe-bank, with frontages to Pavement and King-street. On the same plot formerly stood two semi-detached dwellinghouses, one of which was for several years prior to its demolition very successfully conducted as a temperance hotel by Mr. George Stansfield. The new building is of the most substantial character, of pitch-faced pierpoints and Yorkshire stone dressings. It is three storeys in height; the two entrances front the high road at Pavement—the one to the Coffee Tavern being just at the corner turning into King-street. On the King-street side there are bay windows towards the rear of the building, affording a good view of all that passed along the main road. The roof is of red tiles, and the structure stand. singular and conspicuous in the town.
Entering at the corner door already referred to (over which is a neat circular lamp with the words "Fielden Coffee Tavern “) we find ourselves in a splendid and well-lighted room—the Coffee-room or Bar which measures 26 feet 6 inches by 18 feet 6 inches. It has an oak counter with marble top, an elaborate sideboard (for the crockery, etc.), with cove cornice and beautifully embossed panels. In the centre pediment of the cornice will be placed a clock. Over a handsome mantelpiece of oak and marble is a massive mirror in oak frame, and disposed in various parts of the room will be placed tables with marble top, on very handsome bronze stands. The seats of this room will be oak stools. From the centre of the ceiling is suspended a five-light gas chandelier, in brass, and at each side of the chimney mirror is a bracket. Passing forward to the room fronting King-street, we are in the Smoke Room, measuring 18 feet by 14 feet, which will be furnished with tables and stools of a similar character to those in the Bar, and has in addition upholstered fixed seating around the room. In this room is a three-light gas chandelier similar in pattern to that in the bar, also bracket lights near the mirror. Passing through a door in the Bar at the opposite angle to the entrance. we are in the Lobby or Hall of the Temperance Hotel, where we have before us a number of points worthy of special mention. The Hall itself is very wide, well-lighted, and secured against draughts and other inconveniences by a very handsome door and screen of oak and lead line, filled in with tinted cathedral glass and "bulls' eyes" at intersections. The Vestibule and Hall are laid with tiles of very large and handsome pattern, and there is a tiled dado. the whole aspect of the entrance giving to the visitor a promise of sumptuousness and comfort which will not lessen as he familiarises himself with the other portions of the premises. The Commercial Room is entered from the right-hand side of the Lobby; it measures 17 feet by 15 feet, is fitted up with five-light chandelier and bracket lights; the furniture is all of oak, specially designed by the architect. There is a large telescope dining table. magnificent sideboard, two easy chairs, several other chairs, and a settee (all upholstered in first-class style), two Davenports, mirror, etc. Accessible from all the ground floor rooms are lavatory, water-closet, etc., and the back portions of the building are the manager's quarters, kitchen, scullery, etc., all fitted up with every requisite and convenience. In the hall, facing the entrance, is hat and umbrella stand—a most artistic and handsome piece of furniture. The staircase is very spacious, the balustrade finishing at the foot with an oaken newel surmounted by a lamp. The woodwork of the staircase is of oak and pitch pine, carved and worked so as to be in harmony with the general character and style of the building the balusters and rails being polished. Light is obtained for the staircase during the day by a dome-light or lantern in the roof, also by one staircase window; and for artificial lighting there is abundant preparation, lamps being placed at every landing. Fronting Pavement, and immediately over the Commercial Room and Vestibule, are two commodious bedrooms, and over the Bar with windows looking out into Pavement and King Street, is the Billiard Room (at first intended to be used as a Club Room), measuring 26 feet 6 in by 18 feet 6 in. A billiard licence cannot be obtained until August next, and in the meantime this room remains almost unfurnished. It is intended to place in it a first-class billiard table by Messrs Orme and Sons of Manchester and there will be fixed upholstered seating around the room. Adjoining the Billiard Room is a sitting-room or ladies retiring room, furnished in a very substantial and luxurious manner with a modern drawing room suite in mahogany, comprising half-a-dozen chairs, two easy chairs, sofa, (all upholstered in hair, and hair seating), handsome sideboard, mirror etc. Adjoining the retiring room is a bedroom, making three on the second storey. There are also on this floor a spacious lavatory, water-closet and bath, all fitted up in first-class style. All the rooms have separate entrances from the landing, and the only rooms between which there is internal communication are the Billiard Room and Retiring Room. On the attic floor there are eight bedrooms, with water-close etc., The fire-ranges throughout the building are of special design, the mantelpieces of oak and Anglesey marble with cast iron ranges, with the exception of the Commercial Room, where the wood is walnut. Everything is markedly of the Queen Anne style, and most of the woodwork is polished. The bedrooms are all similarly furnished - there being in each a stout iron bedstead, two chairs, wash stand with towel-rails attached, and dressing table with swing-glass attached The "Queen Anne" character marks all the fixtures and furniture, even in the minutest particulars. All the clocks are in the same style, and the fire- ranges. brass handle to drawers, frames to mirrors, etc., are in strict keeping. The windows throughout have mullions and transoms - some being two, others three, and others four-light windows, the portions above the transoms being filled in with lead lines and tinted cathedral glass. The windows are all in the French casement style, and open outwards. The crockery is of the willow pattern kind (dark), and the words "Fielden Coffee Tavern" are embossed on every piece. The cutlery, cruets, etc., are engraved with the same words. The plate is all made from Nevada silver. The staircase, landing, baths, water-closets. lavatories, and one or two oi the public rooms are covered with linoleum; the other rooms are carpeted. Every room is fitted with fire-grate, and the sleeping rooms are all unusually lofty and capacious for an hotel. Every room is fitted with pin-rails and hooks; in fact, the arrangements seem to be of the most complete character, and to have been made with little or no regard to expense.
The architect of the building has been Mr. Jesse Horsfall, oi Bridge-street and York-place, and the works have been under his constant superintendence. The various contractors have been as follows: stonework, Mr. W. H. Atkinson, Todmorden; joiners' work, Mr Jas Booth, Smithy-holme; slating and tiling, Messrs. S. Barnes and Sons, Todmorden; plastering, Mr. Jas. Blacka, Todmorden; plumbing, glazing, etc., Mrs. H. Whitaker, Dale-street; painting, etc., Mr. A. Bowden, Water-street. Messrs. Sutcliffe Bros., of Roomfield, Todmorden, have made nearly all the specially designed furniture; Messrs. Baxendale and Co., of 151, Stockport-road, Manchester, have furnished and fitted carpets and linoleum, and have also supplied the mirrors, mahogany furniture, etc.; Messrs. Lingard and Co., of Withy-grove, Manchester, have supplied all the crockery, clocks, cutlery, spoons, plate, etc.; and Leech Bros and Hoyle, Manchester, have supplied the fire grates and the marble in connection with the mantelpieces.
The total cost of the premises, including the site of the old building, has been about £4,000 and has, as we have previously stated, been put up at the expense of John Fielden, Esq., of Dobroyd Castle. The Tavern is a novelty to the town, and it is hoped will as a counter-attraction to the beer house. So far as all outward aids to comfort go, it will compare favourably with the best hotels, and we can only hope that it will be found to realise fully the hopes entertained by its beneficent founder, and that it will become a useful and firmly established institution in the district. Mr. and Mrs. Martin, two of the oldest and most experienced servants of the Manchester Coffee Tavern Company - late of the Cannon Street Restaurant, Manchester- have rented the premises, and will conduct the businesses for which the building has been erected. In addition to the ordinary fare of a tavern, a shilling dinner will be provided daily, and arrangements will also be made for an outdoor trade. [The Todmorden Advertiser and Hebden Bridge Newsletter 31 December 1880]
Reference Building News 18 June 1880 with illustration
Reference Todmorden and District News 31 December 1880 page 8 – opening
Reference The Todmorden Advertiser and Hebden Bridge Newsletter 31 December 1880
