Former Aitons Works

The Former Aitons Works is an office block built in 1931, with minor alterations made in the late 20th century. It was designed by Norah Aiton and Betty Scott for Aiton & Co. The building features a steel frame with brick and rendered cladding, along with glazed north light roofs. Originally, it had Crittal metal framed windows and is two storeys tall.

The street facade is divided into two sections: a lower three-window section on the left and a ten-window section on the right. The left section includes an off-centre doorway with a cantilevered hood supported by curved tubular steel brackets and side lights. The ground floor has a continuous strip of windows across both sections. Above the left section, there is a rendered lower boardroom section with three plain, deeply sunk metal frame windows, and a similar window arrangement on the left return. The upper right section features continuous panels between windows on each floor, with a continuous strip of ten windows and a rendered parapet above.

The interior retains many original features, including a cantilevered staircase with a tubular chrome balustrade, original steel and glass doors with chrome handles, and original north light roof lights for the drawing office. This building is a notable early example of the Modern or International style of architecture, which was introduced to England from the continent during the Inter-War period. It is also one of the earliest industrial buildings designed by a partnership of women architects.