Grandstand. Knutsford Racecourse

KNUTSFORD RACE STAND. A new grand stand is to be erected at Knutsford. Sir Harry Mainwaring, bart., has just laid the foundation-stone. The plans having been prepared by Mr. R. T. Bellhouse, architect, Knutsford, they were submitted to Lord Egerton of Tatton, who is the principal freeholder in the town and lord of the manor, and they received his lordship's approval. The surrounding gentry interested themselves in the promotion of the scheme, and the proprietary includes many influential residents in the locality and in Manchester. The contract was taken by Mr. J. Paul, builder, and the structure will cost about £1,168, exclusive of fittings. The capital of the (limited) company consists of £1,500, in 300 shares of £5 each. The building is to be finished in June, the races being fixed for the 3rd of August. The structure will be of red brick and iron, with a square Venetian tower, 60 ft. high, at one end. The ground-floor is enclosed with woodwork and glass panels. The greater part of the area will be devoted to the purpose of a general refreshment-room; but rooms are provided for the committee and jockeys, with all other requisite accommodation for the public. On the first-floor there is also a small refreshment-room. The remaining space is occupied by raised tiers of seats, enclosed by an ornamental balustrade. The second-floor is similarly protected; and both floors command a view of the whole of the course. [Builder 18 March 1865 page 200]

THE NEW GRAND STAND KNUTSFORD—“The Builder” of this week contains excellent wood-cut representation of this building, and appends the following notice; —A very convenient Grand Stand has been provided for the Knutsford race-course, through a company organised for the purpose. The ground floor is subdivided into refreshment room, 40 feet by 20 feet; a committee room and a jockeys' room, each about 12 feet square; and apartments for and other purposes. The first floor consists of a covered gallery, stewards-room, and passages. The gallery is made to project forward from the lower front like a balcony, the front being open, and the roof supported by a range of ornamental iron columns, with brackets above, forming a series of arches, and projecting forwards so as to support the higher balcony on the roof level. Raised tiers of seats are provided the in the covered gallery for the accommodation of 600 persons. The slated roof and the projecting balcony are furnished with planks affording standing places for about 900 people. At the south end there is a brick tower, wherein is a spacious and convenient staircase. At the north end is situated an outside staircase of ironwork leading to the covered gallery, and a set of enclosed stone steps conducts to the stand upon the roof. The entire works have been executed by Mr. Paul, builder, of Knutsford, from a design Mr. Richard T. Bellhouse, architect, Knutsford, at a cost of about £1,700. The ornamental iron-work in front of the covered gallery forms an important feature the design. The length of the building is divided into ten bays, with iron columns, spandrels, brackets, &c. Messrs. E. T. Bellhouse & Co. of Manchester, supplied this portion of the work. [Chester Chronicle 21 October 1865 page 6]

The building, which is a very handsome structure, will be of red brick and iron, with a square Venetian tower, 60 feet high, at one end. The ground floor is enclosed with woodwork and glass panels. The greater part the area will be devoted to the purpose of general refreshment room; but ample rooms are provided for the committee and jockeys, with other requisite accommodation for the public. On the first floor there is also small refreshment room. The remaining space is occupied by raised tiers of seats; enclosed by an ornamental balustrade. The second floor is similarly protected; and both floors command excellent view of the whole the course; and the edifice, when completed, will be great boon to the admirers of our national sport. [Manchester Courier 11 March 1865 page 10]

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 14 January 1865 Page 2 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Guardian 7 March 1865 page 5  - foundation stone
Reference    Builder 18 March 1865 page 200
Reference    Manchester Courier 11 March 1865 page 10
Reference    Chester Chronicle 21 October 1865 page 6
Reference    Builder 14 October 1865 page 729 - illustration