Withington Local Board Offices. Lapwing Lane, West Didsbury

Withington Town Hall, originally the local Board of Health offices, was built in buff brick with richly decorated dressings of red brick and terra cotta to the designs of Lawrence Booth who had won the commission in a limited competition (six invited). Withington and Didsbury became incorporated into the City of Manchester in 1904. Although the building still retains much of its original form, it is no longer used for local government purposes.

WITHINGTON LOCAL BOARD - Persons desirous of tendering for the whole of the Works required in the erection of the new PUBLIC OFFICES and PORTER’S RESIDENCE art Withington are requested to forward their applications for Bills of Quantities to the undersigned on or before Tuesday the 22^nd inst. Lawrence Booth, architect, 88 King Street, Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 12 June 1880 page 9]

NEW OFFICES OF THE WITHINGTON LOCAL BOARD - This building, which is rapidly approaching completion, is intended to be ready for occupation next month when the business of the board will be transferred thereto from the present offices in the city. Situate near the Withington railway station, the new offices will doubtless prove much more convenient, not only to the members of the board but also to the numerous ratepayers who have business transactions with them. It was originally intended to erect a structure on a more extensive scale, for which about half-a-dozen Manchester architects were invited to send in designs. After a somewhat protracted consideration, one of the competitors (Mr Lawrence Booth of King-street Manchester) was instructed to prepare modified plans to suit the board's requirements. These were eventually adopted by the board and sanctioned by the Local Government Board, whereupon the contract for the erection of the building was let to Messrs Robert Neill & Sons of this city for ,3100. It is not expected that this amount will be materially (if at all) increased, except on account of the turret and clock for the same, which has been added for the public convenience and in compliance with the express wish of the inhabitants. These desirous adjuncts were included in Mr Booth's original design, but were purposely eliminated afterwards on the score of economy.

The accommodation provided comprises the following: on the ground floor level a central entrance porch and vestibule 7 feet 8 in. in width leading to a staircase hall, 20 feet by 18 feet; clerk's office and an office for the surveyor, each 25 feet by 20 feet; surveyor's private room 15 feet by 7 feet; nuisance inspector's office 15 feet by 12 feet; a lavatory, two water closets and other conveniences.  On the first floor there are a public room, 50 feet by 25 fee.; two retiring rooms, each 20 feet 6 inches by 15 feet; and a ladies’ cloakroom with lavatory. The basement storey contains a fireproof room 20 feet by 15 feet, lined with glazed brick and enclosed by an iron door which is reached by stone steps. This room is intended for the deposit of official documents and is so constructed as to be absolutely fireproof. A residence is provided for the porter or steward, which is so arranged to group with the other portions of the building without being too distinctive. It comprises a kitchen, scullery, pantry, entrance lobby and two bedrooms. Under the kitchen is a cellar containing the heating apparatus, entrance to which is gained by outside steps, so as to cut off communications with the other portions of the building. The back yard which is common to both the public offices and the porter's residence, contains the necessary conveniences and leads directly to the land at the rear, which is to be used as a yard for the storage of flags, setts and other materials used by the board. A coating of asphalte has been laid on all the walls to prevent dampness arising from the sub-soil, and under all the floors not cellared there is a pavement of bricks covered with asphalte for the same purpose. The ground floor of the entrance and staircase hall have a bed of concrete, overlaid with tiles by Messrs Craven Dunhill & Company. The principal staircase is constructed of stone, supported where necessary on iron beams. The public room affords a good example of the effect to be obtained by showing the roof timbers and their necessary construction. Ceiled about half way up the roof and at a height of 23 feet from the level of the floor, both space and artistic effect are secured in a simple and inexpensive manner. All the windows have sashes made to open to the full extent and in the principal rooms there are casements in the upper part, so constructed as to admit fresh air when opened without creating too much of a draught. The public room is also furnished with inlet tubes somewhat after Tobin’s principle, together with Boyle’s air pump ventilators as extractors of vitiated air. Mr. Wagstaffe of Dukinfield is the sub-contractor for the warming of the building by hot water and the gas fittings have been supplied by Messrs Freeman & Collier. Messrs Arnold & Lewis, St Ann’s Square have provided the clock (which is four dialed) together with their patent system of illumination; and the turret for the reception of the same has been made by Messrs. Braby & Company of Liverpool.