Former Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society factory ('The Scotch Stores'), MIDDLE SECTION- 'FACTORY', Sligo Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 7JY

Former Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society Factory ('The Scotch Stores')

This long, mainly two-storey former factory and integral manager's house stands on the south-west edge of Enniskillen, between Sligo Road to the east and Old Henry Street to the west. Built in 1893 to designs by Thomas Elliot, the complex originally belonged to the Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society and was used for processing livestock and creamery work. The building's considerable length, differing roof heights, and varying levels of detailing suggest that some portions may have been added a few years after initial construction, though this remains uncertain.

The complex runs roughly north to south, curving in line with the surrounding roads and presenting an irregular plan form. At the north end stands the manager's house, known as Thistle Bank House, now serving as a private residence. To its south, the house merges with a much larger block that once contained offices but is now filled with shops, with a substantial eastern section occupied by a local church. This in turn merges with a large, plainer, lower-proportioned block that probably housed the factory proper and is now occupied by shops, a snooker hall, and other commercial uses. Further south lies a long, narrow block, slightly taller and more ornate than the section immediately north, containing shops alongside a bingo hall and restaurant. At the very southern end, the complex appears to have been extended in more recent years, possibly the 1970s, with the addition of plain flat-roofed sections also filled with shops.

To the west of the main building, the ground level rises, so much of the block presents as single-storey on this side. A long narrow enclosed yard runs along the west elevation, containing a long gabled outbuilding that is two-storey to the east but single-storey to the west. A tall square, battered brick chimney stands at the south gable of this outbuilding, indicating it once housed a boiler or boiling house.

The complex displays the architectural character of late Victorian design, often described as possessing a 'Highland lodge' feel, with large Jacobean gables. Much of the complex is constructed in squared rock-faced limestone with smooth dressings and quoins.

The middle section, or 'factory' proper, immediately south of the office section, is a substantially lower and plainer block consisting of a large square form, two-storey to the east and single-storey to the west, with four shallow conjoined hipped roofs now covered in corrugated metal sheeting. The east elevation features very large shop windows and doors at ground floor with modern signage above. The first floor contains one small original window with a segmental head to the far left, followed by four much larger square-ish windows to the right, all appearing to be recent enlargements with modern frames. A large section of this elevation projects to the left. The west elevation is single-storey and fronts directly onto Old Henry Street, with five large square windows with modern glazing and a large doorway to the far right, all of which appear to have been enlarged in recent years. The exposed south elevation of this section, visible from the rear yard off Old Henry Street, is now blank with all openings blocked up.

The complex originally functioned as a creamery and livestock processing facility until the mid to later 1970s. Since that time, it has been occupied primarily by shop and workshop units of various sizes. Considerable alteration has taken place in recent years, particularly regarding window and door openings and the application of modern signage, most notably to the east façade fronting the busy Sligo Road. Large modern extensions were possibly added to the south end in the 1960s or early 1970s. The building is of local historical interest and considerable industrial archaeological interest.