Co-operative Hall and Store, School Street, Darwen

DARWEN - On Saturday last (30 December 1866) Mr Thomas Hughes, MP, laid the foundation stone of a new Co-operative Store here. Mr James Maxwell, of Bury, is the architect. The building will be built of Darwen stone, by Darwen contractors, viz., Mr. John Knowles, mason's work; Mr William Kay, joiner's work; Mr. John Watson, plasterer; and Mr. W Sutcliife, plumber. The cost of the new store will be from £6,000 to £7,000. [Building News 4 January 1867 page 15]

OPENING OF A CO-OPERATIVE HALL AT DARWEN - On Saturday evening the opening of the new central stores of the Over Darwen Industrial Co-operative Society was celebrated by a soiree in the society's new hall, In 1866, it was resolved to build new stores, to which a public hall should be attached, and, a site having been obtained in School-street, the foundation stone of the building was laid on the last day but one of 1866, by Thomas Hughes, MP. The building, which consists of four storeys, affords a frontage to School-street of 117 feet, and measures 48 feet in breadth. The ground floor is laid out in shops, in which the multifarious business of the society, including a grocery and provision trade, tailoring and drapery, millinery, clog and shoe business, and butchery — the last named branch established only a few weeks ago — is carried on. Underneath are capacious fire-proof cellars for the storage of goods. On the second floor are warehouses, work-rooms, a news- room, and a library, yet incomplete, but rapidly accumulating, which is supported and extended by the allotment of a small percentage of the society's profits. The new hall, to which several commodious ante- rooms and offices are attached, occupies the third and fourth storeys. The hall is a handsome room, in many respects a great acquisition to Darwen, which measures 104 feet by 41 feet 6 inches. Including a large gallery, it is estimated that it will comfortably accommodate 1,400 persons. The cost of the entire erection, with £1,000 as the price of the site, is stated at £8,900. The architects were Messrs. Maxwell and Luke (sic)  of Bury. [Blackburn Standard 10 June 1868 page 2]

Reference    Building News 4 January 1867 page 15
Reference    Bury Times 7 September 1867 page6
Reference    Blackburn Standard 10 June 1868 page 2