Shops, Union Street, Oldham

An extensive parade of shops, much larger than suggested in the description accompanying the illustration

These premises are situated in Union-street, Oldham and have been erected from the designs of Messrs Mangnall and Littlewoods, architects of Manchester and Oldham. The front elevations above the shop windows are faced with red terra-cotta made by Mr Thompson of Northwich, the plain surfaces being built with blocks 10 inches deep, bonded and backed up with brickwork, dormers and pediments being built of solid terra-cotta without any backing. The necessity for providing a large open glass frontage has confined the effect mainly to the upper part of the building, the ground floor being glass with cast-iron ornamental pilasters at intervals, supporting the Bessummer beams. The internal arrangements provide for lofty showrooms on the ground, first and second floors, all of which are well-lighted; the upper part of the first floor window and the staircase have tinted glass lead lights, effective and subdued in tone of colour. The Contractors for the work were Messrs Robert Neill & Sons of Manchester. [The Builder 10 January 1885 Page 83]