14 -16 Station Road Urmston
Location/Address
14 – 16 Station Road, Urmston, Manchester M41 9JN
Type
Description
A pair of Victorian shop units of almost identical build which contain many unique and charming features including date plaques (1887 and 1889). They reflect the commercial growth of Urmston town centre, which expanded rapidly in the late 19th century. The buildings are constructed in red brick and have ornate chimneys and date plaques and other decorative architectural elements. The overall effect forms a design which appears to have Flemish style and influence – maybe a making a statement of mercantile identity, reflecting the character of purpose of premises. The Flemish influence is apparent in the high gables and many decorative features which are incorporated into the brickwork. The quality of the design and the interesting architectural features contribute to the identity of this part of the town centre.
Statement of Significance
Age
1887 and 1889, numbers 14 and 16 respectively.Architectural and Artistic Interest
These shops are of an attractive design no doubt reflecting the pride of the original owner. Both have almost identical features and include many interesting design elements. The buildings are constructed in red brick and have ornate chimneys and date plaques and other decorative architectural elements. The overall effect forms a design which appears to have Flemish style and influence – maybe a making a statement of mercantile identity, reflecting the character of purpose of premises. The Flemish influence is apparent in the high gables and many decorative features which are incorporated into the brickwork. These two shops are of an interesting and unique design on the high street. They have been in continual use as commercial premises housing businesses which have served the local community, a role which continues today.Historic Interest
These shops reflect part of the development of Urmston Town Centre, showing how retail shop units were built on a gradual basis, to serve the needs of an expanding community. These two properties are of almost exactly the same design and construction but were built two years apart. Although we do not know the reason for this phased construction, it is interesting to see how the town centre developed on a stepped basis reflecting the demands of a growing population and the resources to meet these. The fact that these two almost identical shops were built on this basis is evident from the brick date plaques which are visible above the first-floor level. Only limited information is available on the use of the shops however details are shown below. This information also shows how businesses changed in the light of new demands from local residents. At least one of the properties was operated on a shared basis by two different businesses – a common practice for high street shop businesses during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 14 Station Road (constructed 1887): In 1898 this shop was in shared use as a Grocers and also as the local Post Office. The shop owner appears to be a Miss Sarah Buckley. Remains of the posting box can still be seen towards the side of the property, down a side alley which is now bricked up at the Station Road front. The posting box was constructed in the side of the shop, which had decorative brickwork above it. This decorative brickwork is just visible from the pavement today. This decorative feature is in the same style as other ornate brickwork features on the building, suggesting that the shop may have been designed to act as the local post office when it was constructed. By 1901 the shop continued to be used on a shared basis, however by this time the post office may have left as in addition to a Grocers the shop was also used as a Wine and Spirit business. In 1909 Nathaniel Gould Co. Ltd took over the business and appear to have occupied this shop (or part of it) until the 1950’s. Gould appears to have continued the practice of having shared use of the premises as in 1938 The Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society took half of the shop, while Gould carried on in the other half. In its divided form a photographic business occupied part of the shop from 1949. Today the shop is run by a bridal wear business. However, in May 2021 proposals were put forward to convert the shop into a 2-bedroom apartment. This would have involved the removal of the existing shopfront and signage and installation of a new entrance door and windows, new doors, and windows to ground floor level. These proposals would have significantly changed the appearance of the property on Station Road but were subsequently withdrawn. 16 Station Road (constructed 1889): In 1898 this shop appeared to be in use as a Drapery business, run by a Mr Joseph Collier. By 1901 the Drapery business seems to have still been in operation, but was now run by Mary Collier, wife of Joseph. In 1909 the business had changed and was now a bootmaker called Bennington. By 1928 the shop was occupied by an Ironmongers owned by one John Restall who continued in the premises until 1939. Today the shop is occupied by the Cancer Research Charity shop. These shops reflect part of the development of Urmston Town Centre, showing how retail shop units were built on a gradual basis, to serve the needs of an expanding community. These two properties are of almost exactly the same design and construction but were built two years apart. Although we do not know the reason for this phased construction, it is interesting to see how the town centre developed on a stepped basis reflecting the demands of a growing population and the resources to meet these. The fact that these two almost identical shops were built on this basis is evident from the brick date plaques which are visible above the first-floor level. Only limited information is available on the use of the shops however details are shown below. This information also shows how businesses changed in the light of new demands from local residents. At least one of the properties was operated on a shared basis by two different businesses – a common practice for high street shop businesses during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 14 Station Road (constructed 1887): In 1898 this shop was in shared use as a Grocers and also as the local Post Office. The shop owner appears to be a Miss Sarah Buckley. Remains of the posting box can still be seen towards the side of the property, down a side alley which is now bricked up at the Station Road front. The posting box was constructed in the side of the shop, which had decorative brickwork above it. This decorative brickwork is just visible from the pavement today. This decorative feature is in the same style as other ornate brickwork features on the building, suggesting that the shop may have been designed to act as the local post office when it was constructed. By 1901 the shop continued to be used on a shared basis, however by this time the post office may have left as in addition to a Grocers the shop was also used as a Wine and Spirit business. In 1909 Nathaniel Gould Co. Ltd took over the business and appear to have occupied this shop (or part of it) until the 1950’s. Gould appears to have continued the practice of having shared use of the premises as in 1938 The Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society took half of the shop, while Gould carried on in the other half. In its divided form a photographic business occupied part of the shop from 1949. Today the shop is run by a bridal wear business. However, in May 2021 proposals were put forward to convert the shop into a 2-bedroom apartment. This would have involved the removal of the existing shopfront and signage and installation of a new entrance door and windows, new doors, and windows to ground floor level. These proposals would have significantly changed the appearance of the property on Station Road but were subsequently withdrawn. 16 Station Road (constructed 1889): In 1898 this shop appeared to be in use as a Drapery business, run by a Mr Joseph Collier. By 1901 the Drapery business seems to have still been in operation, but was now run by Mary Collier, wife of Joseph. In 1909 the business had changed and was now a bootmaker called Bennington. By 1928 the shop was occupied by an Ironmongers owned by one John Restall who continued in the premises until 1939. Today the shop is occupied by the Cancer Research Charity shopImages and Documents
Date Listed
01 Apr 2023
Last Updated
01 Apr 2023
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