Co-operative Shops and Hall, Winwick Street, Warrington

New premises are being built in Winwick-street, Warrington, for the local co-operative society, at a cost of £5,000. Over the shops is a hall, to be seated for over 600 persons, and to be let for public meetings. Mr. William Owen, J.P., of Warrington, is the architect, and Messrs. Gibson and Son are the builders.  [Building News 18 January 1889 page 124]

CO-OPERATIVE PROGRESS IN WARRINGTON. OPENING OF NEW HALL IN WINWICK STREET - On Monday evening the new Co-operative Hall in Winwick Street was opened by the holding of a public concert, which was well attended, and which was presided over by Mr. Thomas Birchall, who is the president of the Warrington Co-operative Society. The handsome block of buildings that has recently been erected in Winwick Street, of which the hall that was opened on Monday evening forms a portion, have been built to the plans of Mr. William Owen, architect, of Cairo-Street. It was decided that the block should comprise five shops for grocery, provisions, drapery, shoes, and meat, with capacious warehouses, and cellaring for each branch, as well as showrooms in connection with the drapery department, but at present only three of these shops have been erected, groceries and provisions being supplied in one, and drapery in another.  The third shop has not yet been opened. The shops are about 34 feet 6 in, by 19 feet each, but that for the grocery and provisions is 21 feet in width. As it is proposed to let the large hall for public entertainments, there is ample lavatory accommodation. The hall is open-roofed, with a height of something like 30 feet to the apex, and it will accommodate about 700 people. It has a good platform, with an ante-room adjoining, which can be reached through the vestibule before entering the hail itself. The buildings on the elevations to Winwick Street and Tanners Lane have been faced with grey brick, relieved with red terra cotta work, and Storeton stone piers and string courses, whilst the windows have Storeton heads, sills, mullions, and transoms. The main buildings and bakery have been erected by Messrs. Gibson and Son, and the erection of the caretaker's house and the fitting up of the shops, was entrusted to Mr. George Wallington, junior, of Froghall Lane. It is intended to provide a reading-room for the convenience of the members. [Warrington Examiner - Saturday 11 May 1889 page 3]