Astley Cheetham Public Library and Post Office Stalybridge

Although a public library had opened in Staleybridge on September 21, 1889, the building was soon found to be  inadequate. J F Cheetham, the owner of Bankwood Mill, funded the building of a new Public Library, opened in 1901. Mrs Astley Cheetham laid the foundation stone on October 9, 1897, and the new library was officially opened on October 16, 1901, when Mrs Astley Cheetham was presented with a gold key. This was built in a restrained Jacobean style of six bays, with the first storey in stone, the second storey faced with Accrington brick and the roof clad in clay tiles. There are large mullioned windows and stone cornices, while the interior has a central atrium surrounded by arches leading to ancillary rooms. The post office immediately to the north was built at the same time in a similar style and material.

STALYBRIDGE ‑The Astley Cheetham Public Free Library which has been presented to the Borough of Stalybridge by Mr J F Astley Cheetham, was formally opened on Friday. The library is adjacent to the new post office, which has been designed in His Majesty’s Office of Works. The style of the library is Jacobean with great mullioned windows and bold cornices. The general arrangement of the rooms is shown on the small key plan of the ground floor. There is a lecture room on the first floor over the front portion of the building. In the basement, besides the heating apparatus, are store rooms for books and work rooms. Outside the building is mainly stone, the dressings of warm colour harmonising with the deep red of the bricks, as well as with the general wall surface, which up to the first floor is of stone of a greyer tone. Above the first floor the walls are faced with Accrington bricks and the roofs covered with brindled purple tiles. The central hall is top lighted and is surrounded by ten pillars and arches of red terra cotta. The general joinery work is of pitch pine, prettily figured wood being picked out for the panels. The main doors and principal fittings are of oak.  The main Post Office, designed by H M Office of Works is also shown in the perspective view. The building is now in progress. The architect was Mr Medland Taylor of Manchester, and the builder Mr Isaac Gould, of Leeds. [Building News 25 October 1901 Page 550].

Reference    Manchester Guardian Monday 11 October 1897 Page 6 Col 7 – foundation stone
Reference    Builder 6 November 1897 p379 – foundation stone
Reference    Builder 28 May 1898 Page 528 – building contract
Reference    Builder 13 January 1900 page 13 and illustration