The Warrington Club, Caroline Street, Mossley Road, Ashton-under-Lyne

The idea of a non-political and non-sectarian club for Ashton was first floated in 1873, and it was subsequently decided to form a limited liability company to be called "The Warrington Club Limited". As soon as sufficient shares had been sold a site for the proposed premises was obtained in Caroline Street, off Mossley Road, a short distance above Harper Mills and Gregory Gill was instructed to prepare plans.

The site occupied an area of two-and-a-halt to three acres. The club house was two storeys high built in the Elizabethan or old English style. At ground floor level the external walls were of brick but above were half-timbered. The building was divided by the entrance lobby into two main parts—that on the right being principally devoted to the living apartment of the curator or manager; and that on the left or north side being exclusively set apart for the members of the club.

To the left of the entrance hall was the large conversation and reading room, lighted from both east and west. Opening off this was a smaller room intended for use as the whist or card-room. Opening off the conversation room there is also a covered passage leading into the American skittle alley 60 feet by 30 feet and built of wood from about three to four feet from the ground. The roof is in the open style of woodwork, painted white with pitch pine beams and supports picked out with red and blue. Comfortable seats are fixed round the room. The exterior architectural appearance of this alley (which forms a wing at the north side) is in keeping with that of the main building. In the left-hand corner of the entrance hall was a refreshment bar.

A spacious billiard-room, with two billiard tables by Burroughes and Watts of London occupied much of the first floor. A small hoist linked this directly to the refreshment bar below. Round the room. on a raised platform, luxurious couches were placed, covered with green velvet. In the centre window at the north side. opposite the door, it was intended to put in the arms of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington in stained glass. The roof of the billiard room was decorated in the same manner the roof of the skittle alley. Opening out of the billiard room there was a covered balcony overlooking the bowling green and grounds and commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. Also on the first floor was the director's room, and toilet facilities at the top of the landing.

Spacious grounds were provided with a large bowling green. measuring 46 yards by 51 yards, at the centre. Round this there is a wide grave walk or terrace, and flowerbeds. At the further end of the grounds were more flower beds together with a croquet lawn, subsequently replaced by tennis courts. The grounds were originally enclosed with a close-boarded wooden fence.

The brickwork, etc. was carried out by Jacob Gibson, of Ashton; the joinery, fitting etc by Hague France, and Company, Stalybridge; the painting by Councillor Joseph Taylor, Ashton: the plumbing and gas fitting by George Barrows, and the plastering by J. Green. The furnishing was done by Thomas Warren. Ashton, and the heating apparatus supplied by the Messrs Grierson, Ashton.

The formal opening of the premise took place on Thursday evening, when a sumptuous banquet was provided for the shareholders and friends. [Stalybridge Reporter 20 June 1874 page 8 - abridged]

Reference    Stalybridge Reporter 20 June 1874 page 8