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

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

A long, mainly two-storey late Victorian rubble-built former factory complex with an integral manager's house, located on the south-west edge of Enniskillen on the west side of Sligo Road and east of Old Henry Street. The building was originally built in 1893 to designs by Thomas Elliot for the Scottish Wholesale Cooperative Society and used for processing livestock, though its considerable length, varying roof heights, and differing levels of detailing suggest that some portions may have been added within a few years of initial construction. The complex displays a well-mannered character with large Jacobean gables and an overall 'Highland lodge' feel. The building runs roughly north to south, curving in line with the surrounding roads, and is irregular in plan form.

The complex comprises several distinct sections. To the north end is the manager's house, known as Thistle Bank House, which merges southward into a much larger block that once contained offices but is now subdivided into shops, with a large portion to the east serving as a meeting place for a local church. This merges into a large, plainer, lower-proportioned block that probably housed the main factory operations and now contains shops, a snooker hall and other commercial units. To the south of this is a long narrow block, possibly originally warehouses, which is slightly taller and more ornate than the preceding section and now contains shops, a bingo hall and restaurant. At the very south end, the complex appears to have been extended in more recent years, possibly dating from the 1960s or early 1970s, with the addition of plain flat-roofed sections also filled with shops.

Much of the main complex is constructed in squared rock-faced limestone with smooth dressings and quoins. To the west of the building the ground level rises, making much of the block single storey on this side. To the west there is also a long narrow enclosed yard with a long gabled outbuilding, which, like its larger neighbour, is two storeys to the east but single storey to the west. To the south gable of the outbuilding stands a tall square battered brick chimney, indicating that this outbuilding once contained a boiler or boiling house.

Since the later 1970s the building has been occupied with mainly shop and workshop units of various sizes, and considerable alterations have been made in recent years, particularly to window and door openings. Large modern window openings have been installed, and extensive modern signage has been applied, especially to the east façade facing the busy Sligo Road.

The south section, described as the 'Factory Warehouse', is a very long narrow block that is two storeys to the west and single storey to the east. It is taller and more ornate than the middle section, featuring Jacobean gables similar to those on the house and office section to the north end of the complex, with a slated gabled roof.

On the east elevation, the ground floor contains a series of large square shop windows with fixed light glazing, some incorporating glazed doors. Most of these openings appear to be recent enlargements of smaller windows, though one shop front to the restaurant is set within what appears to be an original arched doorway. A window and doorway to the far left, serving a meat shop, also appear to be original. The first floor has 16 original windows, mainly with fixed light glazing. Each of the three evenly spaced gables has a further attic window; the outer gables are smaller than the central one and consequently their windows are narrower.

The west elevation is single storey and faces into the rear yard, presenting a uniform line of windows and some timber-sheeted pedestrian doors. Most windows have metal security bars. A doorway to the far left has been blocked up, and a portion of the façade to the far right is rendered. There is a large gabled dormer on this side, its opening now sheeted over, which appears originally to have served as a loft door.