Ludlow Market Hall Shropshire (Architectural Competition).
LUDLOW - The new Market Hall in this town has recently been formally opened. It has been built from plans by Mr. H. A Cheers, of Twickenham, selected in competition, and has been built, at a cost of £5,800, by Mr. Richard Price, of Shrewsbury. The hall occupies the centre of the Castle-square. It is a two-story edifice of red brick with white stone facings, cornices, and dressings. The roof is high in its pitch, and is of green slate, with red ridge tile capping. In style it differs widely from all other architectural features of note in Ludlow, being Queen Anne in character. The new hall forms a rectangle of 150ft. by 45ft., and covers an area of 6,750sq.ft., occupying about double the superficial area of the old building which it replaces. On the ground floor, or market space, there are four entrances, 12ft. wide, one in the centre of each front. The market space is 95ft. by 40ft., exclusive of approaches. The floor is paved with Seysell asphalte on concrete foundation, and the light obtained by arched windows, 10ft. 6in. wide, seven in each side, glazed with muffled glass. A row of six columns, 14ft. apart, support centrally the beams carrying the floor over. A market inspector's office and latrines are provided at the east end, also a surveyor's office, and at the west end is the police station, a committee-room, and a kitchen. The public hall, or Corn Exchange, is on the first floor, with council chamber en suite at the platform end. The hall has a panelled Lincrusta Walton frieze, dado, and panelled ceiling. The assembly-room itself is the same size as market space below - 95ft. by 40ft., inclusive of platform. The ceiling of this fine room is semi-circular, divided into panels by moulded wood ribs. The council chamber is 35ft. by 25ft., having its own separate entrance, and a stone staircase approach. The height of the great hall will be 32ft. to ceiling, and the total height of building from ground line to ridge of roof 60ft., to fleche, 90ft. [Building News 1 November 1889 page 610]
