Ansdell Institute

Ansdell Institute

This institute and former public hall was designed in 1909 by G. H. Willoughby of Manchester. The contractors were Messrs Dryland and Preston of Blackpool and Littleborough, and the terracotta modelling was executed by J. J. Millson of Manchester.

The building is constructed in 'Nori' Accrington brick with abundant orange moulded terracotta detailing beneath red-tiled pitched roofs. The plan comprises a rectangular three-bay institute with a public hall attached to the right, forming a square plan overall.

The front elevation facing Woodlands Road is formed by the institute building to the left and the public hall to the right. The institute is two storeys and three bays, executed in a symmetrical spare Jacobean style. Modern steps lead to the centrally placed entrance, which has a Classical terracotta surround comprising engaged columns supporting an entablature topped by urns, with a central plaque bearing the words 'ANSDELL INSTITUTE'. Panelled timber doors are set beneath a fanlight. Paired cross windows with leaded glass flank the entrance. The upper floor has a central cross window flanked by five-light windows beneath a moulded cornice. The elevation is surmounted by a low parapet with a centrally-placed Dutch gable containing an ornate terracotta date stone of 1909. Classical urns stand on the coping at either end of the parapet.

The slightly more Baroque single-storey public hall is attached to the right. This has a single-storey three-bay projecting entrance with a round-arched doorway flanked by round-arched windows divided by paired striped pilasters. Behind and rising above the entrance is the gable end of the full-height hall, with a centrally-placed tall three-light mullion and transom window with ornate terracotta detailing above, flanked by a cross window. Windows generally retain original leaded glass and there are original cast iron water goods.

The left return has two and three storeys, the rear two-storey part having a flat roof. Windows are mullion and transom throughout with terracotta detailing. The right return is of six bays, those at either end being slightly higher and containing two-light mullion and transom windows beneath round arches. The remaining bays each have three-light mullion and transom windows. The rear elevation of the institute comprises single and two storey elements; the two-storey part has three mullion and transom windows to its upper storey only, two of which are now bricked up. The single storey part has modern casement windows and a narrow service door. The gabled ended rear elevation of the public hall has a centrally-placed three-light mullion and transom window flanked by smaller two-light mullion windows set high in its wall.

Interior

Entering the institute through a small vestibule leads to modern vestibule doors beneath a fanlight with stained glass decoration. To the left of the ground floor central corridor the former refreshment bar, reading room, committee room and billiard room have been opened out and now function as a single large lounge with an inserted bar at the north end. To the right of the central corridor the former library, cloakroom and lavatory are now used as offices, and the former male and female artists' dressing rooms have been reconfigured and function as store rooms.

Surviving original features include a timber and glazed vestibule door with fanlight containing stained glass, and panelled doors with window lights above within moulded architraves.

The upper floor is reached by an original staircase with newel posts finished in classical urns, a moulded handrail and barley sugar balusters. The staircase is lit by a large six-pane window containing some decorated stained glass. The former large billiard room has been converted into a function room with a suspended ceiling installed. At the rear of the upper floor a modern door has been inserted into a former three-light window to give access to a flat roof from which there are views across Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Course.

The lower ground floor is accessed by an original staircase similar to that leading to the upper floor but with less elaborate balusters. The three former classrooms have been converted into a long function suite with modern concertina partition doors added. Modern toilet facilities have also been installed on this floor.

The former public hall has undergone greater change: a suspended ceiling has been inserted, walls fitted with plaster board and it has been subdivided into four rooms by the use of modern partitioning and inserted archways. The former single room now functions as a snooker room, lounge, games room and bar area. Original windows still survive but are obscured by these later alterations. It is declared that the later suspended ceiling, internal room partitioning and modern fixtures and fittings in the public hall are not of special architectural or historic interest.