Old Market Hall

SD 82 SE BACUP BANK STREET

13/5 Old Market Hall - GV II

Market Hall, 1867, with later addition to west side, now timber warehouse. Rock-faced sandstone with ashlar bands and dressings, 3-span slated and glazed roof with side-wall chimneys. Rectangular plan, 3x8 bays. On sloping site, 3-storey east side and 2 2-storey west side, "in the Italian style of architecture" (Newbigging). Projecting cornice to front and sides. Three-bay front to Bank Street has rusticated ashlar centre bay containing giant entrance arch with coved surround, flanked by dentilled panels framed by pilaster strips and pedimented above the cornice, and the outer bays have coupled round-headed windows on each floor, the lower with keystones. After similar return bay, left side wall has basement of 8 fireproof shops in arcade of wide segmental arches carried by segmental-headed cast iron beams, each supported by iron columns framing a door and a low wall with windows (some sashed, some altered, others blocked); floor above has 2 dentilled panels in each bay, and top floor has coupled segmental-headed windows. Interior: 8-bay nave and aisles formed of slim iron columns carrying segmental-arched lattice girders; light-weight roof trusses secured by slender tie-rods. (Brief reference in Thomas Newbigging History of the Forest of Rossendale p.230).

Listing NGR: SD8677922874