Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings: Stables and remains of Packing Warehouse

Former stables, of the early C19 with minor late-C19 and mid-C20 alterations, and the remains of a packing warehouse of c1800; largely demolished in 1979. Part of a former flax mill designed by Charles Bage, and owned and operated by Marshall, Benyon and Bage. Constructed in two major phases of 1796-7 and between 1809 and 1812, with later additions and alterations. Converted and extended to a maltings in 1897-8. Undergoing repairs and restoration (2015).

MATERIALS: the stables are constructed of red ‘great’ (measuring approximately 100mm x 110mm x 240mm) bricks under a gabled, double roof of Welsh slates. The surviving wall of the packing warehouse is built of red brick.

PLAN: rectangular on plan, of two storeys with a hayloft to the upper floor. There are small single-storey additions to its south-east and north-west sides which pre-date 1882 and 1902 respectively. To the south-east is a length of walling which is part of the rear elevation of the former Packing Warehouse (largely demolished).

EXTERIOR: the north-west and south-east elevations of the two-storey STABLES have a dentilled eaves cornice, and there are also cast-iron tie plates beneath the eaves of the former. The north-east frontage has two large inserted ground-floor openings of mid-C20 date, and to the first floor is a taking-in door within a heavy timber frame and beneath a brick segmental arch. The surviving south-west elevation of the PACKING WAREHOUSE, which is built of brick, has been lowered and capped with concrete. It retains six segmental-headed openings which have been bricked in. To the right is a vertical joint and beyond this is a short length of ramped boundary wall with stone coping. There is a further, short length of walling to the east of the gated entrance which has been truncated at its eastern end.

INTERIOR: (not inspected 2015). The stables has a fireproof construction and its ground floor has vaulted brick ceilings supported by cast-iron beams.

Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (‘the Act’) it is declared that the short section of infill walling between the stables and the packing warehouse is not of special architectural or historic interest.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 2 March 2023 to amend the description