Union Offices Townhead Rochdale

ROCHDALE - New union offices at Townhead, Rochdale, built for the Rochdale Board of Guardians, from plans by Messrs. S. Butterworth and Duncan, of that town, were formally opened on Wednesday week. [Building News 3 April 1896 page 489]

ROCHDALE - The new offices of the Rochdale Guardians, opened last week, are situated at the back of the old offices at Townhead, the central corridor in the latter having been continued right through the new building. On the ground floor there are a large waiting hall, a room for the relieving officers, and two ante-rooms. The new boardroom on the first floor measures 40 feet 6 inches by 28 feet. A wainscotting of pollard oak runs round the walls. On one side of the room there is a dais for the chairman, vice-chairman, and clerk, and over the chairman's seat is a massive canopy of oak. The chairs of the guardians are arranged round the other three sides of the room in two rows, the back row being placed on a raised tier. There is a long desk in front of each row. Windows are provided on three sides of the room. On the upper corridor is a room for the Assessment Committee. Cloakroom and lavatory accommodation have likewise been provided. Messrs S. Butterworth and Duncan, of Rochdale, were the architects. Messrs Thomas Berry and Son had the general contract for the erection of the building, and they did the brickwork and mason work themselves. Mr William Driver undertook the joiners' work, Mr. Isaac Butterworth the plumbing, Mr. A. Haigh the slating, and Mr. Purdy the plastering. [Building News 10 April 1896 page 544]

Reference    Building News 3 April 1896 page 489
Reference    Building News 10 April 1896 page 544