The Central Hall And Attached Promenade

The Central Hall and attached Promenade, dating to 1870 and designed by Edward Milner, is now occupied as a coffee shop, restaurant, and small shops. The central hall suffered a fire in 1982 and was subsequently rebuilt in 1984. The building is constructed of narrow coursed millstone grit with ashlar dressings, cast-iron and glass elements beneath Welsh slate roofs.

The exterior comprises a single-storey long range and two two-storey halls. The south front features 18 windows, with a single-storey range of fifteen windows to the east and a three-window two-storey block to the west. The east range features low stone walls and rusticated ashlar pilasters between the windows, incorporating glazed roofs with ornate cast-iron ridge railings and crown finials. The arrangement of windows and doors along the east range includes a gabled entrance with double doors and sidelights; a four-light, a two-light, a three-light, and a two-light cross casement window; two doorways with glazed doors and overlights; six five-light cross casement windows; a pair of double doors; and a final two-light cross casement window. A two-storey square hall is recessed behind bays four, five and six, boasting three windows set into glazed facades and sheltered by a glazed hipped roof. The central three-light window is flanked by two-light windows, with cast-iron columns situated between and at the corners. To the west, a two-storey hall projects slightly, arranged in a square plan with a 3:5:3 division of lights, featuring window panels between the floors. The ground floor windows have nine panes, while the upper floor windows have twelve. Tall cast-iron columns are positioned at the corners and between the windows, all displaying ornate cast-iron capitals. A broad fascia board runs at cornice level, culminating in a slate roof topped by a central octagonal cupola with eight round-headed windows and a two-stage octagonal spire.

The interior contains an open well leading to the central hall, supported by freestanding cast-iron pillars with ornate capitals. The bases of these pillars bear the inscription "N Bailey/SON AND CO /engineers /MILES /PLATTING /MANCHESTER." Ornate iron roof trusses are also present, supported by stone corbels towards the rear and engaged iron columns at the front. The hall and promenade were originally developed as part of the entertainment buildings constructed on the north side of the Pavilion Gardens, which were gifted to the town by the 7th Duke of Devonshire.