New Institute. Pendlebury

At Pendlebury, a populous mining and manufacturing district midway between Manchester and Bolton there has just been erected and inaugurated a building the chief object of which is to afford the means of recreative entertainment and amusement to the working population of the neighbourhood. The premises comprise reading room, library, large billiard room, bagatelle, chess and smoking room, an assembly room to seat 600 persons, committee ante and retiring rooms, a gymnasium, a hall keeper's residence, lavatory and other accessory offices, and generally appliances rarely to be found except in a gentlemen's club. The buildings and premises have been designed by Mr W Williamson, architect, and erected by Messrs Thomas Clay and Sons. The architecture may be described as somewhat semi-Gothic in style. The front gable contains an illuminated clock, the gift of a lady in the neighbourhood. The total cost including fittings and furniture will be about £3,000, the larger portion of which has been taken up in shares by the inhabitants.

Reference           Builder 31 December 1870 Page 1054