Rawtenstall New Police Court, Lord Street, Rawtenstall

RAWTENSTALL - A new police court is now in course of erection in this place; the plan comprises a court‑room, with retiring rooms for the magistrates and solicitors; three cells for prisoners, with open yard; police‑office, house for the sergeant, and rooms for policemen on duty.  The cells are heated with hot‑water, the air from the outside passes over the warm pipes into the cells, and escapes by a ventilator in the roof. The outside of the building is faced with stone. The buildings have been designed by Messrs Maxwell and Tuke, architects, and are expected to be ready for occupation by next Midsummer. [The Builder 1869 Vol XXVII 11th December 1869 p 993]

RAWTENSTALL POLICE COURTS - The new courts have been built upon a plot of land in Lord Street, adjoining the Primitive Methodist Chapel, from designs prepared by Messrs. Maxwell and Tuke, architects, of Bury. They comprise a handsome little court, with magistrates' and solicitors' retiring rooms, police office, and men's quarters, with three cells and exercise yard for prisoners; also residence for police-sergeant. Land being difficult to obtain in Rawtenstall, only a small site could secured in a convenient position, and considerable ingenuity appears to have been exercised in overcoming the attendant difficulties, the result an extremely convenient and compact arrangement, which is quite a model in its way. The cost of the works, exclusive of the site, is under £1,900, the contract for which was held by Mr. Roberts, builder, of Rawtenstall. The outer walls are all of pitch-faced with the exception of those to the cells, which, as well as the dressings, are of tooled Longridge stone. The furniture throughout has been provided by Messrs. Taylor and Count, of Bury. [Burnley Advertiser 17 September 1870 page 3]

Reference    Bury Times 9 November 1869 page 4 – contracts
Reference    Bury Times 16 November 1869 page 4 – contracts
Reference    The Builder 1869 Vol XXVII 11th December 1869 p 993
Reference    Burnley Advertiser 17 September 1870 page 3 – opening
Reference    Rochdale Observer 17 September 1870 page 6 – opening repeat article