Clegg and Knowles

The partnership between Charles Clegg and John Knowles began in 1851 when they entered the competition for a new workhouse in Salford under their joint name. Their first office was in Chancery Place, Booth Street, Manchester where they remained until 1854; then at 40 Brown Street and finally at Cross Street.

By 1868, Clegg & Knowles had also opened a branch office at Central Beach, Blackpool, as evidenced by entries in the Architect's Directory of 1868 and Slater's Directory of 1869. However, this office existed for only a few years and would appear to have been established specifically for the construction of the Imperial Hotel and Claremont Park Estate in that Town. With the completion of the hotel in 1870 and presumably without prospect of further work in the area, this office was closed, thus ending Clegg & Knowles association with the town. Instead it was Speakman & Charlesworth who continued Manchester's involvement with the resort, establishing an office at Central Beach in 1870.

Following the death of John Knowles in 1879, Charles Clegg continued on his own account for some three years before admitting his son, Charles Theodore Clegg into partnership. In the same year (Knowles) or in 1884 (Clegg) Frederick J Knowles was also made partner. By 1884 the practice had been re-named Clegg Son and Knowles.

Address
1853-1854 : Clegg and Knowles Chancery Place, Booth Street, Manchester (MC 1 October 1853 p2)
1854-1871 : Clegg & Knowles. 40, Brown Street Manchester (MC  5 August 1854 p2)
1878-1882 : Clegg & Knowles. Architects, surveyors and valuers Commercial Buildings. 15, Cross-street, Manchester
1883-1884 : Clegg & Knowles. Architects, surveyors and valuers Town Hall buildings. 74A King Street Manchester