Former Barclays Bank

The former Barclays Bank, built in 1868 by Blackwell and Son and Booth from Manchester and Bury, is a notable corner building designed in an enriched classical style. It is a substantial two-storey structure made of ashlar stone, featuring a moulded plinth and rusticated bands on the ground floor, along with a cornice supported by brackets that alternates with medallions on the upper floor. The façade includes five large windows, with the upper ones adorned with shaped hoods on brackets and decorative pseudo-balcony fronts. The middle bay slightly projects and features a large arched entry on the ground floor, which has horizontal ribbing on the angled intrados and a grotesque head as the keystone. The first floor of this bay has paired pilasters that support a segmental pediment enclosing a sculpture. The side sections of the front are framed by pilasters, and the parapet is embellished with sections of balustrading, with chimneys featuring bracketed cornices above. The return front to Bank Street has a similar four-bay design, and the corner is recessed in a quadrant shape. Inside, the building boasts highly enriched plasterwork. It was originally built for the Bury Banking Company, which was established as Grundy and Wood before 1836, and the upper floor was previously used as the Bury Council Chamber and offices.