Parrs Wood Motor Bus Depot

THE PARR’S WOOD MOTOR BUS DEPOT - The enormous increase in the number of motorbuses which nowadays crowd the streets has necessitated the building of garages so large that they demand an architectural treatment. It is to the credit of the Corporation of Manchester that it is the first municipal body to give to such a garage the importance and status it deserves, and the building here illustrated, designed by Mr. Henry Price, the City Architect, is a praiseworthy attempt to find a suitable formal expression for a bus garage. As might be expected, such a structure must necessarily comprise a large area of one storey only, so that it is not easy to make it highly imposing architecturally. The utmost that can be done is to create a centre of interest by elevating one portion of the facade, and this is what Mr. Henry Price has done; at one comer of the building he has erected a clock tower which is justifiable inasmuch as it serves a  utilitarian purpose, while at the same time it provides the requisite formal emphasis without which the design would appear somewhat dull. Even apart from the tower, however, the building has elements of composition which give it a certain distinction, as, for instance, the arcade on the long facade, which has pilasters between each bay and has at either extremity a slightly projecting pavilion with raised parapet. Moreover, the contrast of red brickwork with stone facings brightens up the design, the stone being used effectively yet economically at special points of the composition. The tower itself is of interesting design, but it is perhaps questionable whether the horizontal projection, or ‘‘belt,” halfway up its height is altogether a satisfactory feature. In the interior, which is also here illustrated, there is accommodation for fifty motor-buses. The general contractors were Messrs. J. H. Billings & Co., Green Lane, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. The sub-contractors included: Messrs. Lambourne & Co., Ltd., Manchester (steelwork) ; Messrs. J. & E. Moores, Manchester (mason work); Messrs. Fearnley & Sons, Ltd., Salford (carpentry and joinery work); Messrs. T. Kilburn & Son, Manchester (slating); Messrs. J. A. McCrea & Sons, Manchester (the whole of the plumbing and glazing); Messrs. Mather & Platt, Ltd. (sprinklers); Messrs. Jones & Jackson, Ltd., Manchester (plaster work and painting); Messrs. Albert E. Sudlow& Co., Manchester (electric lighting); Messrs. The Synchronome Co., Ltd., London (synchronised system of clocks, including turret clock, two-faced bracket clock, master clock, two 12-in. dials); Messrs. Estler Bros, (steel stores and bins); Messrs. Cochran & Co. (Annan), Ltd. (boilers); Messrs. Holt & Willets (hoist). The main shed is ventilated and warmed by means of a specially designed fan driven at 450 r.p.m. by a 30 h.p. De Laval Steam Turbine, delivering 50,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The air is passed through a battery of tubes heated by exhaust and live steam and distributed by means of sheet metal trunking fixed immediately beneath the gutters of the roof, inconspicuous to the eye and giving ample headroom for the buses. The plant was designed and supplied by Messrs. Saunders & Taylor, Ltd., of Manchester and London. [Architect and Building News 18 November 1927 page 790, 791, 814]. 

Manchester’s first purpose-built bus garage was opened at Parrs Wood, East Didsbury on 23rd March 1926 and the bus fleet, which had previously operated from the various tram depots was moved there. The depot was extended in 1932 and closed in 1971. The outer walls were constructed of Ravenhead Rustic brick pointed with “Atlas White” Portland cement with a Leighton Buzzard white silica sand aggregate.  A Tesco store later opened on the site, retaining the clock tower from the bus depot.

Reference    Architect and Building News 18 November 1927 page 790. 791, 814
Reference    Architects Journal 13 July 1927 page xxiv - Advertisement with illustrations