Town Hall, Public Offices, Free Library, and Market Shops, Buxton

In connection with the proposal to erect new public offices, free library and market shops at Buxton. A special meeting of the Buxton Local Board was held yesterday, when plans by Mr William Pollard, architect, York Street Manchester were selected out of a large number. The probable cost of the work will be £7,500 [Manchester Guardian 25 May 1886 page 7]

THE NEW MARKET HALL, BUXTON -On Monday a special meeting of the Local Board was held at the Court  House to decide upon which of the 20 plans sent in for a new market hall, free library, and public offices was moat suitable. After a long discussion the set of plans marked "Health and Wisdom," belonging to Mr. Pollard, architect, of Manchester, was unanimously approved of. The cost of the new building is not to exceed £7,500. It will be built on the site of the old Market Hall, burned down some months ago. The front elevation will face the market ground, Higher Buxton. [Derby Mercury 26 May 1886 page 3]

The new buildings, the architect for which is Mr William Pollard of Manchester, will cost nearly £10,000; the land and an additional site needed for the proper carrying out of the scheme has been granted by the Duke of Devonshire at a peppercorn rent.[Manchester Guardian 22 June 1887 page 6]

BUXTON TOWN HALL - This handsome block of public buildings, to be opened by the Marquis of Hartington on the 28th inst., includes a Town Hall, a Free Library, a boardroom and offices for the Urban Sanitary Authority, and accommodation for the officials in charge of the water, gas, cabs, and markets. The buildings cover an area of 1,500 square yards and have cost about £10,000. It is an excellent site. One front of the building is to the Market Place, while the opposite one looks down the Terrace Walks and across the valley. The latter is perhaps the real front of the building, though the tower, which rises out of the south front, gives some distinction to that side of the block. The outside walls are of local stone, with facings of ashlar from the Knowsley quarries and Yorkshire parpoints. The public hall is 80 feet by 40 feet and 35 feet high. It is handsome room with a gallery at one end. It is approached by a staircase hall 16 feet wide. The staircase is of polished York stone, with landings finished in marble mosaic, The Free Library accommodation includes a large reading-room, 40 feet by 25 feet and also a smaller room. The public offices occupy the northern side of the building. the side from which our sketch is taken. The boardroom, which is on the first floor, is 40 feet by 20 feet ceiling 20 feet high. Committee-rooms and other apartments adjoin. The main staircase to the public offices is of pitch-pine, with an oak balustrade. It is lit by a domed ceiling light. The floors of the corridors and halls are laid with terrazzo and mosaic paving. On the Market Place side, the building includes a number of shops. The Masonic brethren of Buxton will also find s home in the building. A clock for the tower has been presented by the Committee of the Lord Frederick Cavendish Memorial Fund.  The general contractor for the building is Mr James Salt, and the architect is Mr William Pollard, King-street, Manchester, Mr James Elsdon, of Wolverhampton, acts as clerk of works. [Manchester Guardian 18 June 1889 page 9]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 May 1886 page 7
Reference    Derby Mercury 26 May 1886 page 3
Reference    Manchester Guardian 23 April 1887 Page 10 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Guardian 22 June 1887 page 6 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 June 1889 page 9 with illustration