Premises Occupied By Coral Racing Ltd

The building occupied by Coral Racing Ltd is located in Victoria Square, Bolton. It was constructed between 1825 and 1829 by the architect Lane and originally served as an exchange and library. The structure is made of ashlar stone and features a slate roof.

The exterior consists of two storeys topped with a high entablature decorated with laurel wreaths. It has a five-window range, with the outer bays slightly projecting. On either side of the central bay are giant Ionic columns, and the central entrance is framed by a moulded architrave with a flat entablature, although the doorway itself has been renewed. The windows are 15-pane sashes, with carved emblems such as wreaths and serpents above them. The building has three-window pedimented returns, with a central entrance in the right-hand gable, and end wall stacks that are partially hidden by pedimented gables.

The interior was not inspected. Historically, the building was designed to accommodate the Exchange and a newsroom, with the upper room functioning as a 'Church and King' library until 1847. Bolton Corporation took over the library in 1853, and by 1871, the Exchange ceased operations, leading the Corporation to use the ground floor as a library and museum of Natural History. The architect responsible for these changes was Benjamin Hick.