Former Poor Law Offices

The Former Poor Law Offices, now a Registry Office, was built in 1883 and converted in the mid-20th century. The building is made of orange brick with ashlar dressings and has slate roofs. It features a moulded ashlar plinth and is two storeys high.

The main east facade has eleven windows arranged in a pattern of 3.2.1.2.3. In the center, there is a slightly projecting bay with double panel doors and a fanlight set in a round-headed opening, which is framed by an Ionic pilaster ashlar surround topped with a pediment that bears the date 1883. Above this, there is a Venetian window with unusual glazing, surrounded by tall Corinthian pilasters supporting a moulded entablature. At the top, a square cupola features a single round-headed sash window flanked by scroll piers topped with obelisks, all surmounted by an entablature and dome.

On either side of the central bay, there are slightly recessed sections with two plain sashes in elaborate ashlar surrounds, supported by brackets that hold balconies above with stone balustrades. The upper windows are set in round-headed ashlar surrounds with prominent keystones. The outer three bay wings project slightly and are framed with rusticated pilasters around two windows and a door on the right. The doors are elaborate panel types with overlights, accompanied by plate glass sash windows. Above these, there are three tall round-headed sashes in elaborate ashlar surrounds with prominent keystones, separated by four Corinthian pilasters. Each outer wing is topped with a broad pediment featuring a carved coat-of-arms.

This building is a very fine example of a rare building type.