Building Name

Extension to Co-operative Central Premises, Burleigh Street, Cambridge

Date
1908
Street
Burleigh Street
District/Town
Cambridge
County/Country
Cambridgeshire, England
Client
Cambridge Co-operative Society
Work
Additions and Alterations
Contractor
Kerridge and Shaw, of Cambridge.

CO-OPERATION CAMBRIDGE. NEW PREMISES OPENED. EXHIBITION IN THE CORN EXCHANGE. Cambridge was visited by a number of representatives of Co-operative Societies from various parts of East Anglia on Wednesday, when the formal opening of new premises erected by the Cambridge Society, followed an exhibition of co-operative production in the Corn Exchange, took place. The extraordinary increase in trade experienced by the Cambridge Society during the last few years has rendered necessary an extension of their business premises, and substantial additions and improvements have been made to their central block of buildings, which were opened in Burleigh-street some eight years ago. This work has involved a total outlay of nearly £5,000, and when, a month hence, the new premises are opened for business purposes, the Society will be equipped with a handsome and useful set of buildings. The principal additions are a grocery and provisions shop, measuring 25 feet by 42 feet, and a boot and shoe shop, measuring 19 feet by 42 feet. These have been erected next the small shop which has done service for the boot and shoe department, and which is to be utilised for the outfitting department, and it is probable that the existing grocery and provisions shop in Fitzroy - street will be adapted to the requirements of the furnishing department, at present accommodated in the drapery shop. The new block of buildings is of red brick with stone facings and has been designed in harmony with the previously erected premises. On the first floor the bulk of the space is devoted to a commodious apartment for the grocery packing and weighing dry goods’ department, and the remainder is partitioned off for use a boot store room. Each room is connected with the shop with which is associated, by a staircase, and on the second floor the whole of the available area is taken up by a small hall, from which access to the existing large hall can be obtained. In connection with this there is also a gallery connection with the old premises which provides for an additional emergency exit. The buildings throughout are heated by hot water and lighted by electricity, the lavatory accommodation has been greatly improved, and the basement is fitted up so as to be used for provisions and storage purposes. While this work has been carried out substantial improvement has also been effected with regard to the offices at the rear of the business premises. The dimensions of these have been more than doubled, the new portion on the ground floor being used as the cashiers’ private office, and the remainder as the general office. Above there is a spacious board room, and a private office for the Secretary, and there is a nicely fitted up strong room and large store in the basement. The architect for the work was Mr. R. Worcester, of the Cooperative Wholesale Society’s architects’ department, and the builders were Messrs. Kerridge and Shaw, of Cambridge. [Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 14 February 1908 page 5]

Reference           Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 14 February 1908 page 5