Rebuilding of Lord Nelson Hotel, 49 Stretford Road, Urmston

Carving        Williams & Millson.

Now owned by the Manchester brewer Joseph Holt PLC, the Lord Nelson is an imposing three-storey building, located on Stretford Road, Urmston. It was originally built by George Royle in 1805, to honour the death of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805) and originally comprised 15 acres of land and farm buildings.

TO BE LET, the LORD NELSON PUBLIC- HOUSE, with the farm buildings and fifteen acres of rich land, in Urmston, near Stretford; part of the furniture and fixtures to be taken at a valuation. To view apply upon the premises, and to treat apply to Mr Daniel Bradshaw, auctioneer and land agent, Patricroft and 16 Cooper Street, Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 21 October 1856 page 1]

The hotel was substantially rebuilt in 1876-1877, by George Royle's grandson, Thomas Royle Higginson.to the designs of Horton and Bridgford. Originally of red brick, external walls were later cement rendered. The style of the rebuilding owed much to French Beaus Arts with its Mansard roofs, which Horton and Bridgeford has adopted for several commecial buildings.

TO BÜILDERS - TENDERS REQUIRED for ALTERATIONS and ADDITIONS to the Lord Nelson Hotel, Urmston for Mr. Thomas Royle Higginson. Plans may be seen, and Quantities obtained on and after Tuesday the 23rd instant at the offices of the architects, Messrs Horton and Bridgford, 19 Cooper Street, Manchester. Tenders to be sent in to the architects not later than 10 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, 31 May. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. [Manchester Guardian 20 May 1876: page 5]

In 1877 the Lord Nelson was described in the Eccles Advertiser as: 'Having all the modern notions of capacity, elevation, variety and luxury. There are suites of rooms, billiard and general rooms, all approached by a staircase large and open enough for a bazaar. Adjoining the hotel is a large bowling green, like the hotel itself, enlarged, remodelled and modernised, and every preparation is being made for carriages and horses. It has been entirely rebuilt at a cost of over £4,000 and the architects are Messrs. Horton & Bridgeford, 19 Cooper Street, Manchester and the contractors, Messrs. Kewley, Jones & Robertson. Bridgewater Street, Manchester. The Court Leet of the manor of Urmston meet and dine here twice a year. There are also at present, one or two sick and burial societies holding their meetings here; cricket and football club meetings and several Manchester societies have taken latterly to coming out to hold their annual dinners’. [Eccles Advertiser. 1877? CHECK]

1877         Proposed Design: Carving for the Nelson Hotel, Urmston.
Sculptors    Williams & Millson, Manchester.
We have chosen this composition for illustration on account of its symbolism, which is well adapted to the subject. The design is by Messrs Williams & Milson and was intended for the Nelson Hotel at Urmston which has just been completed from designs by Messrs. Horton & Bridgford. [British Architect 13 July 1877 Page 19].

Williams and Millson elaborate design for the tympanum above the main entrance was not implemented, presumably on grounds of cost. 

Reference    Manchester Guardian 21 October 1856 page 1 – to be let
Reference    Manchester Guardian 20 May 1876 page 5 – contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier 20 May 1876 page 3 - contracts
Reference    British Architect 13 July 1877 Page 19 and illustration
Reference    Exploring Trafford’s Heritage. https://exploringtraffordsheritage.omeka.net/