Manor Road Garage (Including Four Forecourt Petrol Pumps)

Manor Road Garage, East Preston

A former motor garage representing three distinct phases of early motoring development. The central workshop block probably dates from 1919 and was extended northwards in 1930 by the Norwich firm Boulton and Paul, known for their prefabricated buildings and motor houses. The south frontage was added around 1934 in Moderne style by an architect not yet identified. Four forecourt petrol pumps date from the late 1940s or early 1950s.

The frontage is constructed of brick, render and concrete. The rear workshop is partly brick but mainly a light steel or iron frame covered in corrugated iron or corrugated asbestos.

The building comprises a showroom frontage to the south with four petrol pumps in the forecourt and a repairs garage to the north.

The south frontage is almost symmetrical and rendered in Moderne style with brick coping to the flat roof. Windows are boarded over but are thought to retain original metal windows with horizontal glazing. The central section rises two storeys with two small rectangular windows on the first floor and a central concrete bracket that originally supported a flagpole. The corners are curved with wraparound windows at ground floor level. Metal letters reading "MANOR ROAD GARAGE" are attached to the centre. On either side are set-back sections of the same height; the east one retains its original wooden garage door while the west one has two small windows within the original opening. Lower projecting wings flank these sections with recessed bands to the parapet. The western wing is narrower and incorporates two doorcases and a large showroom window, while the eastern wing features a larger curved showroom window.

The forecourt contains four Shell brand petrol pumps from the 1940s or early 1950s, connected by a concrete plinth. The rectangular pump structures with dials are complete, though the globes are missing. The rear side of the frontage building is yellow brick in English bond, while the east and west sides of the central south workshop are painted red brick with pilasters and multipane metal casements with central openings. Attached metal-framed workshops have walls and roofs of corrugated iron or corrugated asbestos.

The central section of the northern workshop features a light steel roof of kingpost type. The side sections have iron girders attached to the brick walls and are lit from above. A simple wooden open staircase provides access to the upper storey of the frontage building.

Historic records show that on 22 May 1930, F H Songhurst (the owner or architect) submitted an application for an extension to Manor Road Garage, with builders Boulton and Paul of Norwich undertaking the work. On 22 January 1934, Mr E R Peacock submitted an application for alterations and additions, approved that same month; these likely included the Moderne frontage building. An advertisement thought to date from around 1937 confirms the garage offered sales, service and repairs with cars for hire and parking for 50 cars. The building remained in use as a working garage until around 1973, after which it was unoccupied.