Bow Works

Measuring tool works, now offices, dating from 1865-68 and 1903, with later alterations. Constructed for J Chesterman & Co., the building is of red brick with ashlar dressings and slate roofs, featuring two external gable stacks.

The exterior presents workshop ranges along Pomona Street, spanning a 40-window range. The mid-19th century workshop, located to the right, has nineteen 12-pane sashes with brick flat arches, one blocked and some partly reglazed. Above are nineteen 9-pane sashes. The ground floor includes an off-centre round-arched cart entrance with imposts and raised lettering spelling "Bow Works." The keystone is inscribed "J C & Co." and incorporates double board doors. To the right are twelve reglazed windows with brick flat arches, two of which are blocked. To the left is a tall window, then a door with two late 20th century windows and three blocked openings. The 1903 office range, to the left, has a symmetrical front with 21 windows and a gabled central bay. A three-light casement sits above an ashlar plaque bearing the words "Bow Works, J C" in raised letters beneath a pediment. Above the plaque is a large round-arched window projecting into the gable. Below the plaque is a round-arched doorway with brick voussoirs and a wooden entablature. Flanking the doorway are ten composite sashes, with a further ten 9-pane sashes above. The ground floor features five large four-light casements with wooden pilasters and a continuous entablature on either side.

South of the main works entrance are two long, two-storey wings, each over 30 bays long, with mostly glazing bar sashes on the upper floors. The lower floors are largely obscured by later single-storey additions. To the east is a truncated circular stack, and to the west, a block with a hipped roof.

The interior has not been inspected.

This company, later known as Rabone Chesterman, was a leading manufacturer of measuring tools from the mid-19th century to the late 20th century.