Public Wash-house and Wash Baths, Pryme Street, Hulme

A MUNICIPAL WASH-HOUSE FOR HULME. Encouraged by the result of the experiment, started two and a half years ago, of adding a public wash-house to the New Islington Baths, the Baths Committee of the Manchester Corporation decided to provide a similar establishment in Hulme. A site was obtained in Pryme Street, Chester Road, and the buildings have just been completed. They were formally opened by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Shann) on Wednesday, but the public will not be able to use them until Tuesday next. In the meantime, however, anyone may visit the place and so personally inspect the excellent arrangements. The premises in Pryme-street have the appearance, externally, of a row of well-built cottages, two storeys in height, selected common bricks, with red terra-cotta and stock brick dressings being the principal materials used. There are three entrances, one leading to the wash-baths for males, one to the females’ wash-baths and the wash-house, and the other communicating with the mangling and ironing room. Internally, the walls are of glazed bricks in two tints, while the roofs over the portion for washing and drying clothes are carried by steel principals, with glazed lanterns for efficient lighting and ventilation.  There are twelve wash-baths for males and the same number for females. Each bathroom is fitted with a porcelain bath and the usual accessories. The public wash-house contains twenty stalls, each being provided with boiling and washing troughs, steam or hot water dolly, adjustable scrubbing board, and other appliances. In the mangling and ironing room there are three steam-driven mangles, and a large stove for heating the smoothing irons. Indeed, the whole arrangements form an admirable example of what can be done to make washing clothes less comfortless, to lighten the labours of women, and free the small houses which abound in the neighbourhood from the miseries of washing day. The price for a wash-bath will be a penny, and for the use of the facilities for washing clothes three-halfpence an hour is to be charged. The total cost of the establishment, including the land, will, it is anticipated, not exceed £6,500. The premises have been erected by Messrs. C. H. Normanton and Son, from the designs of Mr. Henry Price, the City Architect. [Manchester City News - Saturday 24 December 1904 page 6]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 29 August 1903 page 13 - contracts
Reference    Manchester City News - Saturday 24 December 1904 page 6