Royton Baths Park Street, Royton near Oldham

Architectural competition restricted to architects of Manchester Oldham and Rochdale. No professional assessor appointed. Eight sets of plans submitted. The design of Ernest Woodhouse FRIBA was placed first. [Building News 13 March 1908 Page 382]

ROYTON BATHS COMPETITION - The important and thriving district of Royton, a large manufacturing town adjoining Oldham, is to be provided with public baths, and a limited competition has just been decided, as we announced last week.  Manchester, Oldham, and Rochdale architects were invited to submit designs, and eight plans were received. Mr Ernest Woodhouse, F.R.I.B.A., of Manchester, was placed first. The district council, with their surveyor, made the selection, and had a somewhat difficult task to decide between plans of some considerable merit; but an examination of the designs submitted makes it clear that the best scheme has been chosen. The requirements were a swimming bath, with separate entrances for males and females, with two sets of private baths, one for each sex, a caretaker's house, and the usual accessories of a public bath. It is stated that  the  district  council was unanimous in its decision.

The site is an entirely open one of ample size, without restrictions or difficulties of light and air. Mr Woodhouse's general grouping of the swimming bath and the private baths, and the contrivance of the entrances are, broadly speaking, similar to some of the other competitors' plans, notably so as to Messrs. Butterworth and Duncari's design (B). The details were, however, more conveniently worked out in the plan placed first. This plan has the usually centrally placed ticket‑office, with entrances on either side. The private baths are located to the front, on either side of the. entrances. The staircases to the gallery for gala occasions and the emergency doors are capitally contrived for the exigencies of a panic. The elevations are suitably picturesque, and will be carried out in brick and stone, with segmental and pointed pediments, square‑ headed doors, semi-circular and arched window openings, forming an appropriate treatment. We give the perspective of the building herewith.

Mr Ernest Woodhouse FRIBA of Mosley Street Manchester has been commissioned to carry out his designs for the Royton Public Baths which he won in competition with seven other local architects. The design shows a hall and swimming bath 75 feet by 27 feet and 45 dressing rooms with balcony over. Six men’s and six women’s slipper baths are provided. The walls internally are to be faced with local brick excepting the tiled entrance halls. Externally the walls will be faced with Accrington facing bricks with terra cotta dressings. [British Architect 3 April 1908 p255]

Reference    Building News 13 March 1908 Page 382
Reference    British Architect 3 April 1908 Page 255
Reference    Building News 20 March 1908 Page 410-411 with perspective illustration
Reference    Building News 20 March 1908 Page 419 - E. Woodhouse confirmed as architect
Reference    Building News 24 July 1908 Page xii Local Government Board enquiry - application to borrow £7500 for the new baths.