2008 PROJECT SELECTION

104 ABBEY ROAD, BARROW-IN-FURNESS, CUMBRIA: ARCHAEOLOGICAL BUILDING RECORDING (LEVEL 3)

An archaeological building recording was carried out prior to the renovation of a derelict commercial property at 104 Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The building is Grade II Listed and is part of a row of properties of similar design, including the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel. The designer of both buildings was Howard Evans, who had become the borough surveyor in 1870. The original plans indicate that the client was a Henry Whiteside, who may have been a corn dealer, but it is not known what the building was originally used for. The datestone demonstrates that the whole block of buildings was built in 1875.

The front of the building covered by scaffolding

The view from behind

North-west external elevation

104 Abbey Road forms part of an interesting block of buildings in a part of Barrow that developed slightly later than the rest of the town. This occurred largely as a result of the construction of the new Central Station, although this was not constructed until 1882, implying there was a degree of pre-planned expansion of the town in this direction beforehand. The entire block was built by William Gradwell, who was closely connected to the syndicate of businessmen responsible for most of the town’s major construction projects. Later users of 104 were very varied, but during the 20th century it was dominated by Cooke and Sons furnishers, hence it became known as ‘Cooke’s Buildings’.

Datestone below a decorative arch

External detail

Detail of the brickwork

Detail of the external façade

Office space on the upper floor

Window detail

Despite its relatively late date of origin 104 Abbey Road has undergone a number of alterations, many of which were quite substantial. The initial arrangement of buildings (which ultimately seemed to include the construction of No. 102 as well) was substantially changed at an early date, with a large extension to the rear of the building and general reorganisation. An elevator shaft was later added, perhaps in the early 20th century, and minor internal alterations were made, perhaps including the addition of radiators and removal of original fireplaces. Later, extensive alterations were made, which unfortunately led to the loss of many remaining original features and addition of numerous internal partitions, although much of the external façade remained intact.