Winter Gardens and Pavilion Blackpool (Architectural Competition)

A design competition for the Blackpool Winter Gardens in 1876, resulted in the first premium being awarded to architects Mitchell and Macleod of Oldham and Manchester. However, Colin MacLeod’s interest in the project ceased with the dissolution of the partnership. Cost £120,000. Mitchell later claimed complete responsibility for the design.

BLACKPOOL —Twelve sets of designs have been sent in in competition for the erection of the new Winter Garden and Pavilion at Blackpool. The premiums have been awarded as follows: First premium of £50 to Messrs. Mitchell and MacLeod, 17, St. Anne's-square, Manchester, Oldham; 2nd, £30, to Messrs. E. Cobbett and Sons, of Manchester; 3rd, £20, to Messrs. E. and E. B. Ellis, of London. The designs to which the first prize has been awarded were sent in marked with the letter G in a double triangle and provide for a skating rink 192ft. by 114ft., two. gymnasia, and a concert-hall to seat 2,700 persons. The directors, in awarding the premiums, were guided by the advice of Mr. Thomas Risley, architect, of Manchester, and have appointed Messrs. Mitchell and MacLeod to carry out the works. [Building News 28 January 1876 page 88]

COMPETITIONS - BLACKPOOL WINTER GARDENS AND PAVILION COMPANY - Twelve sets of plans for laying out the grounds and the erection of the necessary buildings on the Bank Hey estate, Blackpool, were received by the directors of this company, who have awarded three premiums of £50, £30, and £20, as follows: 1st, Mr. T. Mitchell, Oldham; 2nd, Messrs. Corbett and Sons, Manchester; 3rd, Messrs. E. and E. B. Ellis, London. The plans to which the first premium has been awarded bear the letter G in a double triangle. They provide for the erection of a verandah and vestibule at the west front of the present house, thereby much improving its appearance, whilst at the Church Street entrance a porte-cochere is placed, so that carriages may deposit their occupants under cover. Above this entrance are the offices of the secretary, directors, boardroom, etc. From the grand entrance hall, the roof of which is of glass, ladies' and gentlemen's cloakrooms, etc., open out, as does also an indoor gymnasium. Starting from the entrance hall the visitor may enter the promenade, 30 feet wide, which is of an extraordinary length, considering the size of the estate. and extends round the pavilion, along the south side of the premises, and to the entrance of the conservatory, which will be made larger than it is at the present time. The skating rink will be 192 feet by 114 feet, a portion of it being covered by the promenade. The outdoor gymnasium measures 70 feet by 60 feet and is rather larger than the indoor gymnasium. The concert hall is calculated to seat 2,700, but, as it is surrounded by the promenade, from which it is divided merely by an arrangement similar to the revolving shutters now affixed to many shops, it may be thrown open and so enlarged as to accommodate 7,500 persons. The appearance of the buildings is much improved by the addition of a clock tower. which is so placed that it will be in a direct line with Abingdon Street and also with Victoria Street and will thus attract the attention of persons either passing along Talbot Road to or from the railway station or promenading on the parade. Handsome entrance gates and toll houses are placed in Coronation Street, and the ground between the gates and the building is occupied by tastefully arranged grass plats, ornamental flower beds, fountain, fish pond, etc. There are also provided bowling green, lawn for badminton, croquet lawn, kiosk, rustic arcade, grotto, and aviary. The billiard-room, refreshment rooms, cloak rooms, and other apartments, are suitably arranged, and the design possesses the great advantage of placing all the buildings under one roof. as well as utilising to a great extent the erections now on the estate.

The second-best set of plans bear the motto “Pleasure and Profit." The buildings shown on the perspective plan are remarkable for the number of pointed roofs, and, in consequence, present rather a singular appearance. A portion of the present house is utilised as manager’s rooms, and the rest is arranged as cloak rooms, smoke room, reading rooms and other conveniences. The principal room in the buildings to be erected is the concert room, which measures i35 feet by 80 feet.  On the east and south sides of it the promenade is in the form of an open verandah, whilst the north side is intended for a bazaar promenade. These, together with a promenade room, measuring 137 feet by 38 feet, situate at the west of the concert room, constitute the space available for promenade purposes. A striking feature in the design is an observatory and view tower, the site of which is in a direct line with Abingdon Street, but rather further south than the centre of Victoria Street. If the idea were utilised in the plan carried out visitors would have from the tower splendid views of the surrounding country and might see places many miles distant. There are two skating rinks, one covered, measuring 140 feet by 55 feet, and the other open, measuring 166 feet by 51 feet. There are also indoor and outdoor gymnasiums, open aviary, with roosting houses and poultry yard, and covered aviary, the latter octagon in shape, and abutting upon the promenade room. The plan for laying out the grounds has been well considered, and shows, in addition to fountains, fish ponds, and summer house. ornamental flower beds and lawns of geometrical shapes, which, if adopted, would have a remarkably good effect.

The arrangement of the plans to which the third premium has been awarded, and which bear the motto “Pro bono publico,” is exceedingly good, although the buildings do not present any striking feature and would not be so imposing as those in some other designs. A lofty corridor leads to the promenade, which is 30 feet wide, and which surrounds a skating rink 168 feet by 212 feet in extent. The pavilion measures 162 feet by 100 feet and is calculated to seat 2,500 persons. The entrance gates are tastefully designed, and the grounds are simply but well laid out as bowling green, croquet lawns, flower garden, gymnasium, fish ponds, etc. The directors in adjudicating upon the designs were assisted by Mr. Thomas Risley, architect, of St. Ann’s Square, Manchester. [British Architect 28 January 1876 page 48]

Reference    Building News 28 January 1876 page 88
Reference    British Architect 28 January 1876 page 48