Co-op Central Depot, Ellesmere Street, Leigh - Alterations and Extensions

In February 1888, the society purchased a disused foundry in Ellesmere Street, formerly occupied by Mr, Andrew Townley. Shortly afterwards very considerable extensions were undertaken at the Central Depot, Ellesmere Street. The building which had previously been the moulding shop for the foundry was converted into what was considered at the time a first-class bakery, fitted with ovens heated by hot air, instead of the old fire wagons which used to be put inside the ovens. The work was completed by Messrs. Mason and Sons, of Manchester. The old bakery was added to the grocery warehouse and the manager's house adjoining was converted into an office, with committee room and waiting room. The work was done by Mr. Henry Eyet, builder, of Leigh, Messrs. Bradshaw and Gass, of Bolton, being the architects. Another of the old buildings belonging to the foundry was used as a slaughterhouse. [Jubilee History page 262]

LEIGH - The Leigh Co-operative Friendly Society have been erecting extensive additions to their premises in Ellesmere-street from designs by Messrs. Bradshaw and Gass, who are the architects for the Bolton Co-operative Society, and these are now all but complete. These comprise extensions to the present shop premises, giving much greater facilities for the extensive business carried on by the Society. On the ground floor of the new premises and adjoining the street is the general office, a good sized room with the Secretary’s office divided from it by a glazed screen. The entrance is through folding doors from the street leading into ante, and from thence into waiting room or outer office, and to the general office. The Board Room is placed at the back and is approached through the outer office. All these rooms will be plainly, but suitably fitted up, and being well lighted will be admirably adapted for their purpose. A large pair of gates give entrance to the covered cartway leading into the corn mill yard, and adjoining this is the old building carefully altered and formed into a first class bakery, with the large ovens at the back —-Mason’s patent ovens, which have been extensively used with great success—have been adopted. On the first floor, and over the whole of the premises, are flour and other stores, which are specially constructed so as to be suitable for their purpose. They are altogether about 140 feet long and 52 feet wide. The portion over the new offices is 56 feet long and 52 feet wide and will be able to be used for occasional meetings, and has a spacious and lofty appearance, the roof being of light looking but specially strong construction. Over the bakery is placed the flour store for use of the bakers and has separate staircase. will be divided from the general store doors, so as to form a distinct storage department. The external treatment harmonises somewhat with the present buildings and is kept as simple as possible. A good effect is, however, got by careful treatment of the main entrance door, a judicious arrangement of the windows and lines of moulded brick string courses. The whole of the contract has been executed Leigh tradesmen, Mr. Henry Eyet being the general contractor, and the whole has been carried out in a very workmanlike fashion. The stonework and slating have been done by Mr. Ranicar, plumbing, glazing, and painting by Mr. W. H. Pennington, and plaster and distemper work by Mr. Gregory. The storage portion of the building will be available in a week or two, and the contractors are making every effort to complete the remainder of the building so that they may be ready for use within a short time.

Reference           Jubilee History of the Leigh Friendly Cooperative Society Limited, 1857-1907 Page 262
Reference           Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser - Friday 28 December 1888 page 15