Oldham Equitable Co Operative Society Buildings

OLDHAM

SD90NW HUDDERSFIELD ROAD 780-1/1/42 (South East side) Oldham Equitable Co-Operative Society Buildings

II

Co-operative Society buildings. 1900. By Thomas Taylor of Oldham. Ashlar faced to brick with Welsh slate roof. 3 principal storeys, divided unequally into 3 main sections with massive gable flanked by blocks of 2 and 5 bays. Left-hand range is gabled at right-angles to street, and has modified ground floor, and 2 wide segmentally-arched windows to first floor divided by polygonal pilasters which continue across second storey and the parapet. Arcaded upper storey of 5 bays, with marked entasis to piers. Similar pattern repeated in 5 bays to left of gable which are roofed parallel to street. Central block comprises a high gable at right-angles to street, with modified ground floor, 5 windows with bracketed sills and entablatures to first floor, and massive semi-circular window with round-headed mullioned lights above. Scalloped decoration above and below. Coped gable with terminal pinnacles each side. "Oldham Equitable Co-Operative Society" in decorative low relief above first floor windows. Ground floor throughout has late C20 fascias but the original polished granite columns survive, though mostly encased. The building was originally of greater extent with a courtyard to the rear, and the existing rear walls are faced with white glazed brick. The building was designed to include drapery, gentlemen's outfitting, furnishing, boot and shoe, butchering and grocery departments, together with offices, committee and board rooms, and included an educational department with newsroom, library and conversation room. 2 large public halls were also provided. (Walters C: The Combined History of the Equitable and Industrial Societies: Manchester: 1900-: P.145-149).

Listing NGR: SD9418405603