Southport Glaciarium (Ice Skating Rink) Lord Street Southport

SOUTHPORT GLACIARIUM. - This glaciarium has been erected to provide for the rapidly‑growing town of Southport a cold store for the preservation of meat, also a manufactory for pure ice, and the largest sheet of ice for skating that has ever been produced by artificial means, which will add much to the attractions of this favourite seaside resort. The skating hall is 160 feet long by 64 feet wide, the area of the ice being 144 feet by 54 feet, or 7,776ft. sq. The front buildings contain large cloak‑rooms, lavatories, and skate and refreshment‑rooms, with a large gallery for spectators across the end of the hall. In this building are also provided, separate from the hall proper, spacious billiard, dining, and reading‑rooms, with photographic studio, etc. At the other end of the building, and in communication with the skating‑floor, is a beautifully‑arranged fern‑grotto promenade. The front is faced with red pressed bricks, carved and moulded. The engine‑room and boiler‑house are in the rear of the building, and contain machinery of the most improved character for the purposes of refrigeration. It is contemplated to still further extend this portion of the premises and plant. The buildings have been designed by Messrs. Bell and Roper, of the Royal Exchange, Manchester; Mr. T. Bridge, of Southport, being the contractor. The glaciarium is the property of a company formed to carry into practical effect the patents of Professor John Gamgee, and the warmest praise is due to Mr. Edward Holden, the chairman, and his co‑directors, for their intelligent perseverance in the execution and accomplishment of their difficult task. The building was formally opened by Mr. Edward Holden, on Friday, the 10th instant, and on Thursday, the 16th inst., the skating‑floor was inaugurated by Lord Lindsay, followed by a curling match between the Lancashire clubs. [Building News 24 January 1879 page 90]

 1889 : At the half yearly meeting of the Universal Glaciarium and Ice Manufacturing Company Limited, Southport, held yesterday, the Chairman reported a serious loss on the year's working and a resolution to wind up the affairs of the company voluntarily was adopted. [Manchester Guardian Wednesday 15 May 1889 Page 5and Page 8]

1925 : The Corporation had acquired the Glaciarium at Southport and had plans to convert the buildings into offices, warehouse, stores and showroom for the Electricity Department with a shop at the front and other workshops for letting purposes at the rear. The estimated cost of the conversion was £7,000. [Builder 13 March 1925 page 436]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 5 August 1876 page 1 - prospectus
Reference    British Architect 13 April 1877 Page
Reference    Building News 24 January 1879 page 90 and illustration
Reference    Builder 13 March 1925 page 436
Reference    Manchester Guardian Wednesday 15 May 1889 Page 5 Column 2 and Page 8 Col 5 (full report)
Reference    Builder 13 March 1925 page 436