Former Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society factory ('The Scotch Stores'), NORTH END- 'OFFICE /FACTORY', Sligo Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 7JY

Former Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society Factory ('The Scotch Stores') — Northern Office and Factory Section

This is the northern office and factory portion of a long, largely two-storey, late Victorian former factory complex known as 'The Scotch Stores', located on the west side of Sligo Road and the east side of Old Henry Street, on the south-west edge of Enniskillen. The complex is believed to have been built in 1893 to designs by architect Thomas Elliot for the Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Society, originally functioning as a creamery and livestock processing facility with associated offices and a manager's house. Its sheer length, varying roof heights, and differing levels of detailing suggest that some portions may have been added a few years after the initial build, and the lower proportions and plainer appearance of parts of the factory section support this possibility, though it is not certain. The building runs roughly north to south, curving in line with the two roads it fronts. The complex survived as an animal processing facility until the mid-to-later 1970s, after which much of it was converted to shop and workshop units. Since that time, many window and door openings have been enlarged or altered, and modern signage has been applied extensively, particularly to the east façade facing the busy Sligo Road. The former manager's dwelling, known as 'Thistle Bank House', now serves as a private residence and is situated at the northern end of the complex.

The building has an overall character that might be described as a 'Highland lodge', with much of its fabric constructed in squared, rock-faced limestone — possibly lime stone — with smooth dressings and quoins. Large Jacobean gables are a defining feature, and the overall architectural manner is well-composed for an industrial building of its type and period. The northern section under this listing — the office and factory portion immediately to the south of the manager's house — has a more domesticated appearance than the plainer factory sections further south, and its detailing closely replicates that of the house itself, suggesting it may have originally served mainly as factory offices.

East Elevation

The east elevation faces directly onto Sligo Road. At its southern (left) end is a low two-storey section containing two large shop-front openings — a window and a separate glazed door screen — along with a much narrower window to the left, all of which appear to have originally been considerably smaller openings. At first-floor level there are three window openings, the left-hand one blocked with fixed-light glazing and the remainder glazed in a similar fashion. Above this section rises a large, square, plain rendered or faced turret, likely originally housing a water tank. To the immediate north of the turret is a small gabled dormer with fixed-light glazing.

Immediately to the north of this lower section there is a large three-storey gable, similar in character to those belonging to the manager's house, except that it is topped with a ball finial rather than incorporating a chimney stack. Between this gable and the house itself is a plainer two-storey section. At ground-floor level across this combined section of the facade, reading from left, there are three modern shop fronts, followed by a doorway with a modern door, then another modern shop front with a separate doorway and modern door. All of these openings have been altered to varying degrees: most were originally smaller windows, and the shop window at the far right was formerly an arched doorway. At first-floor level, above a long rectangular panel that may once have displayed the factory owner's name, are six evenly spaced windows with segmental heads. The three right-hand windows retain their original sash frames, all glazed two-over-two, while the remainder have plain fixed-light glazing. At the uppermost level within the large gable to the left is a pair of semicircular-headed windows. On the roof to the right of the gable is a small gabled dormer with a louvred opening, and there is a stone chimney stack at the northern end of the ridge of this roof section.

West Elevation

Because the ground level rises to the west of the building, much of this side reads as single storey despite being two storeys to the east. The west elevation of the office section projects beyond the line of the west gable of the manager's house. It is largely occupied by a large hall-like portion to the left and centre, now used as a meeting place by a local church. This portion is the western half of the two-storey section described above on the east façade but reads as single storey from this side due to the change in ground level.

Roughly at the centre of this hall portion is a broad timber-panelled double door set within a shallow porch with thick rendered jambs, a flat roof, and steps. This door ensemble is unlikely to be original. Immediately to the left of the door is a very large window with a recent signboard above it; this window probably originally had stone mullions and a transom but now has a modern frame with security bars. To the left of this window is a small two-over-one sash window. To the right of the doorway is a large eyebrow-like window retaining stone mullions but fitted with modern frames to each of three lights. On the short north-facing return there is a small window with a modern frame.

To the south of the hall-like portion is a large but relatively plain two-storey projecting gable. At ground-floor level this contains a panelled timber double door flanked by two smallish square windows with modern frames. At first-floor level there are two small windows to each side of a larger window with a segmental head, all with PVC frames. On the short north-facing return to this gable there is a relatively large window at ground-floor level with a timber mullioned and transomed frame, and a smaller window at first-floor level, now boarded up.

Further to the south is another, larger gable which projects even further and sits at a slight angle. At ground-floor level there are four narrow windows with PVC frames to the left and centre, and two doors to the right — one timber-sheeted, the other glazed. At first-floor level there are three windows, slightly larger but also with PVC frames. Above these, at the upper level, is a single semicircular-headed window opening fitted with a PVC window and louvring to the arch head.

The complex is of notable local interest and rarity as an example of late Victorian industrial architecture in the region, and is of industrial archaeological significance as a former cooperative livestock processing facility. Its group value lies in the relationship between the factory, office, and manager's house elements of the original ensemble. While the overall composition and proportions remain legible, the building has suffered from alterations that detract from its character, including the enlargement of openings, installation of PVC windows, and the application of modern signage.