County Hall, Fishergate, Preston

THE NEW COUNTY HALL, PRESTON – During the Guild Celebration at Preston, there will be formally opened the range of buildings in Fishergate, at the north end of which is situate the County Hall of Lancashire. …. It consists of the County Constabulary Offices, built in 1878 and the County Offices, which are now completed and occupied for their respective purposes. The style of architecture of the connecting offices is that of the later period of Elizabeth and James I The two establishments constitute a single pile, simply and substantially built, with due regard to architectural effect, but without ostentation, and great skill has been manifested in overcoming certain difficulties presented by the site in the internal arrangements. The elevation is of pressed red brick with stone string courses, cornice, mullions and jambs, gables and shields (on which are carved the Royal and Duchy arms, and those of the House of Lancaster), the whole presenting a frontage to Fishergate of 178 feet 6 inches and to Pitt Street, at right angles to Fishergate,  152 feet. In the rear of the offices there is a convenient parade ground for the constabulary; an occasional court-house, and cells for the temporary confinement of prisoners also form part of the premises; and beneath the County Hall is a fireproof record room. The whole pile of the buildings was erected by Mr John Walmsley, of Preston, from designs and under the supervision of Me Henry Littler of Manchester, the architect, at a cost of £58,000, inclusive of the site. The County Hall has been decorated by Messrs Shrigley and Hunt of London and Lancaster under the immediate supervision of Mr Hunt, from designs of Mr E H Jewitt, and of Mr J Milner Allen of London. [Manchester Guardian 30 August 1882 page 6].

Reference           Manchester Guardian 30 August 1882 page 6