Former Willans & Robinson Factory, Central Block

Former Willans & Robinson Factory Constructed in 3 long, low blocks, originally flat topped but now with shallow gabled roofs behind the parapets. The asymmetrical blocks are fronted in dark red local brick, over an iron-framed structure. A repeating bay pattern, giving an important coherence, consists of a window band over a doorway, each bay divided by raked buttresses and with pronounced corner buttresses. The large iron-framed windows with small-pane glazing have cast iron I-section lintels, with vertical strengthening bars, above which is a dentilled brick course containing ventilation holes. Mainly tall doorways, centrally-placed with concrete lintels. Brick string course to lower level; some lines of sockets beneath windows, now infilled with concrete. The parapets, originally of a similar scale to the buttresses and helping to articulate the bay pattern, have been mainly rebuilt. Some brick paving is preserved immediately in front of the building; there were originally railway tracks here.

The central block is 3-bay, originally with a tower to the L which has been truncated to parapet level. To the W is a 6-bay block, and to the E a 5-bay block.