Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall
General information
TypeTown hall
Architectural styleGothic Revival style
Classification
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated6 May 1976
Reference no.1197859
LocationBarrow-in-Furness, England
AddressDuke Street
BARROW-IN-FURNESS
LA14 2LD
Current tenantsWestmorland and Furness Council
Construction started1882
Completed1886
Inaugurated14 July 1887
Cost£80,000 (£9.2M as of 2017)
OwnerWestmorland and Furness Council
Height50 metres (164 ft)
Dimensions
Diameter72 metres (236 ft)
Technical details
Floor count4 (6 in tower)
Design and construction
Architect(s)William Henry Lynn
Architecture firmLanyon, Lynn and Lanyon
Main contractorShort and Devlin

Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall is a Gothic Revival style municipal building in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England.[1] The building, which served as the headquarters of the former Barrow Borough Council, and now one of the bases of Westmorland and Furness Council, lies within a Conservation Area with Grade II* listed status.[2][3]

History

In the mid-19th century, Barrow was little more than a small fishing village. However, after the discovery of iron ore in local mountains and the establishment of a port in the town, the area became a municipal borough in 1867.[4] In 1877, architects were invited to submit proposals for a large civic building in Barrow which would represent the growth and current stature of the town.[1] Irish-born architect, William Henry Lynn had the winning design that began construction in 1882.[2] The building was constructed almost entirely from local Hawcoat sandstone with Westmorland slate for the roof. At 50 metres (164 ft) tall, it became one of the tallest buildings in Barrow.[1]

Financial constraints alongside changes to the design were the reason that construction did not commence immediately after selection of the design. In 1885, the building was almost complete, however cracks were found in areas of the building and the clock tower had to be completely demolished and rebuilt. This was most likely the result of the contractors trying to cut costs by using sub-standard stone.[1] Despite these initial troubles, the town hall was finally complete in 1886 and was officially opened on 14 July 1887 by Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire to coincide with the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.[1]

The town hall continued to serve as the headquarters of the municipal borough council for much of the 20th century and remained a meeting place for the enlarged Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council which was formed in 1974.[5] Upon abolition of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness on 1 April 2023, the town hall became one of three anchor buildings of the new Westmorland and Furness Council.[6]

Architecture

External

The English Heritage listing of Barrow Town Hall describes the external architecture as: Snecked red sandstone with ashlar dressings, graduated slate roofs. 3 storeys and attic with 6-stage tower; 1:1:5:2:4:1:1 bays in near symmetrical composition. Bays 2 & 14 have oriel bay windows corbelled over ground floor; the 2-bay section is occupied by the tower. Gothic Revival style with Geometrical tracery.[2]

Internal

The ground floor entrance hall consists of a reception and information desk alongside photos of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh who visited the town hall in 1956.[7] There is also a plaque commemorating the centenary of the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness which was unveiled in 1967 by The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.[1] The largest room within the town hall is the Queen's Hall. A number of stained glass panels have been added to windows in the Queen's Hall that feature local dignitaries and aspects of Barrow's shipbuilding and steelworks industries.[1] Also on the first floor are the Council Chambers, the former Press and Public Galleries, the Drawing Room, the Ante Room and a large public Banquet Hall.[1] Works of art in the town hall include portraits depicting the 7th Duke of Devonshire[8] and Lord Frederick Cavendish.[9] The clock and bells were manufactured by Gillett & Co. of Croydon.[10]

Plazas

The town hall's main plaza is to the exterior of the building, which has led to many incorrectly believing that the building was built 'back to front'.[1] Two large plazas are situated either side of the town hall. They are often focal points for mass local celebrations and events, examples being Barrow A.F.C. and Barrow Raiders victories as well as the annual Christmas lights switch-on.[11] Town Square, originally known as Cavendish Square, to the north is framed by the town hall itself and the Forum, until the turn of the 21st century vehicular traffic ran through Town Square until it was entirely pedestrianised.[12] The rear of the town hall is landscaped and includes the statue of Lord Frederick Cavendish which was originally in the centre of Town Square.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "The History of Barrow-in-Furness Town Hall" (PDF). Barrow Borough Council. Archived from the original (pdf) on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Historic England. "Town Hall, Duke Street (1197859)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "Barrow named as one of heritage sites most at risk of being lost". The Mail. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  4. ↑ "Barrow in Furness MB/CB". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  5. ↑ Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70. The Stationery Office Ltd. 1997. ISBN 0-10-547072-4.
  6. ↑ "New council to have headquarters in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith". North West England Mail. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Looking back on Queen's first visit to Barrow". The Mail. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, KG (William Cavendish, 1808–1891, 7th Duke of Devonshire)". Art UK. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  9. ↑ "Frederick Cavendish". Art UK. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  10. ↑ Pickford, Chris, ed. (1995). Turret Clocks: Lists of Clocks from Makers' Catalogues and Publicity Materials (2nd ed.). Wadhurst, E. Sussex: Antiquarian Horological Society. pp. 81–94.
  11. ↑ "Barrow in Furness Xmas Light Switch on with BAY Radio". Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  12. ↑ "Town Square Pedestrianisation" (PDF). Barrow Area Committee Minutes. 23 September 1997.
  13. ↑ Historic England. "Statue of Lord Frederick Cavendish (1292108)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2020.

54°06′41″N 3°13′40″W / 54.1115°N 3.2279°W / 54.1115; -3.2279

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