Salford Royal Technical Institute. (Peel Building) Peel Park Salford

Until it became part of Salford University, the Peel building housed the Royal Technical College, founded following the Technical Instruction Act of 1889. This legislation empowered local authorities to set aside funds for technical education and was driven by a desire to retain British superiority in these areas over Germany and other expanding industrial economies. The question of whether to build a technical school was aired in the Salford local elections of November 1889 and soon afterwards a motion was proposed by the council in its favour. Early in 1890 Mr W. F. Cottrell brought forward a motion recommending the appointment of a committee to consider the subject and make a report. A committee was immediately appointed, consisting principally of council officials. The Technical Instruction Committee (TIC) made a series of visits to technical schools in Oldham, Stockport, Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, Dewsbury, Birmingham and other towns, finally concluding that the establishment of a similar school in Salford was essential. When the committee reported in July 1890, the school at Huddersfield, which had cost £22,000, was suggested as a model. Each school had attempted to give practical instruction in the industries of each district, and this policy was also recommended to Salford. The chosen site was Marlborough Square, adjoining Peel Park, the lease of which Salford Town Council acquired from the Earl of Derby in September 1890. The appointment of Henry Lord as the architect for the project in 1891 was a matter of some controversy. He was a former member of the Council and an early member of the TIC.  and thus, it was argued, in a more advantageous position than other architects. "That his appointment as architect was proceeded with in a fashion which is open to grave objection does not, we think, admit of any dispute," commented the Salford Reporter.  His estimate of £55,000 was considered somewhat large, but an application to the Local Government Board to sanction the borrowing was made. The final cost of the whole project, some £70,000, inevitably attracted criticism. However, the large budget ensured that "however much people may differ as to the expedience of providing so lavishly for a demand the extent of which is as yet largely problematical," Salford had acquired a "magnificent building" which "for generosity of proportions, architectural ornamentation, and wealth of colour" was "unsurpassed by any public building in the borough." It was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York (the future George V and Queen Mary), on 25 March 1896.

Decorated with pilasters and terra cotta friezes, the principal elevation to Peel Park was three storeys high and 311 feet long, A Classical composition, It was divided into thirteen bays each side of a prominent  gabled central bay rising to a height of some 100 feet. Walls were red Ruabon facing brick with terra cotta details; the roof of red clay roofing tiles. Large windows to maximise the amount of natural light. A central corridor ran the full length of the building with a stair at either end. Classrooms generally on the front of the building. Ground floor contained the principal’s office, secretary’s room etc. A Great Hall with seating for 600 contained an organ donated by Lee Knowles MP. The building was lit with electricity “from the Corporation’s mains” and provided accommodation for 2,300 students. The principal entrance comprised semi-circular headed doorway flanked by coupled Ionic columns. The front includes a number of modelled bas-relief figures. In the spandrels on either side of the principal entrance are two bas reliefs of women, larger than life, representing ART and SCIENCE. On the front beneaththe central gable are four sculpted panels representing modern trades and industries associated with the education provided in the institute. These include: building trades engineers chemistry sculpture and art At the rear of the main building was the dyeing school. On its walls were two sculpted panels of figures involved in the textile trades.

A TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOR SALFORD – For a long time the Corporation of Salford have had in view the erection of a technical school for the borough. Some time ago the Committee entrusted with the matter instructed Mr Henry Lord, architect of this city, formerly a member of Salford Town Council, to prepare designs for the proposed school, and the designs have been prepared and approved of, and the sanction of the Local Government Board having been obtained, the erection of the buildings has been begun. Messrs Wilson and Croft, builders, City Road, are the contractors for the foundations. The site of the new school is a plot of land on the south-west extremity of Peel Park. The building is set back a short distance from the street and its main front stretches northward into Peel Park for more than 300 feet. It is to be of red brick and terra cotta; it will be from 80 to 90 feet in height, and it is expected that when completed it will form an interesting addition to the architectural features of that portion of the borough. Provision will be made for the teaching of physics, mechanics, engineering and the handicrafts associated with it, joinery, turnery, wood-working, plumbing, building construction, drawing, modelling, painting, spinning, weaving, dyeing, cookery, and some of the minor industries of the district. In the various class and lecture rooms there will be accommodation for 2,000 students. Commodious dining-rooms, dye-rooms and library will be provided for the use of the students, and suitable rooms for the teachers, committees and secretaries. Behind the main building there is to be a large room capable of seating about six hundred. This will be made use of for popular scientific lectures and entertainments and for musical performances. Still further to the rear there is space for the extension or increase of the departments as the experience of the committee or the development of local industries may suggest. A noteworthy feature of the buildings will be the warming and ventilation, which will be done on the Blackman-Stead system. The total cost of the school is expected to reach about £50,000. The foundation stone was formally laid on Saturday afternoon by Alderman B Robinson, the former mayor. [Manchester Guardian 3 October 1892 page 8]

Sculptor :  Earp, Hobbs and Miller

Reference    Manchester Courier 12 August 1891 page 1 – contracts for foundations
Reference    British Architect 7 October 1892 Page 271 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Courier Monday 3 October Page 6 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 3 October 1892 page 8 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Courier 8 October 1892 page 16 – report as MG
Reference    Manchester Guardian 26 March 1896 page 5 – opening
Reference    The Builder 1896: I: 303;
Reference     M.F. & P., Vol. IX.