Warrington Market Hall: Market Square, Warrington

OPENING OF THE MARKET HALL, WARRINGTON.—Presentation to the Mayor.—The much felt want of a convenient market has been supplied in the opening the New Market Hall, handsome structure in the Italian style of architecture, built by Mr. Bann, of Stockport, from the design of Mr. James Stevens, of Manchester. The cost of the building and site will be about £12,000, and is expected that it will not only pay its expenses, but become the property of the corporation in thirty years. The body is not quite completed, but sufficiently for its opening on Wednesday. The structure externally is of brick, with stone dressings; it is divided into bays with pilasters having moulded caps and bases, and has handsome stone base running round it. There is a large 3-light window, 20 feet in height, in the gable front which faces Cloth Hall, and the openings are filled in with ornamental cast-iron frames for glass. The other windows face Cheapside and Golden Square. The principal entrance, which is opposite the new street out of Sankey-street, has very handsome circular-headed doorway, each side of which are rusticated columns with enriched capitals, supporting an elaborately carved pediment, bearing the arms of the corporation. The entrances have handsome iron gates. Internally, the hall is divided into two parts, which are connected by an archway; the rooms severally measure 86ft by 63ft., and 34ft.by 22ft. The larger room contains ten butchers' stalls, seven for pork butchers, six for greengrocers, six for the sale butter and eggs, a market keeper's office, and an ornamental fountain 6ft. 6in. in diameter, which is supplied with a continuous stream of fresh water. The smaller room contains four butchers' stalls, which stalls are suitably fitted with tables, rails and hooks, scales, and fireplace; and proper provision has been made for ventilation. The hall is lighted with gas. In the basement storey are ten commodious cellars. A market shed, 130 ft. by 50ft. and 31ft. high, adjoins the hall; it is supported on massive cast-iron columns and pilasters, and is paved with hard sets.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 August 1855 Page 7 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Guardian 14 June 1856 page 7 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 9 June 1856 page 4
Reference    Manchester Courier 18 October 1856 page 9 – opening
Reference    Manchester Guardian 16 October 1856 page 4
Reference    Builder 25 October 1856 page 584 - opening