| Description | Former gas works, dated c.1877, built by John Laycock. Constructed of coursed sandstone, with ashlar dressings and a blue slate roof. Large single storey gabled range with 20 bays of semi circular arched windows and doorcases with keystones. Impost band, recessed windows with moulded apron. Rusticated chamfered quoins; coped gables with kneelers and tabling in ashlar. One of the first town gas works in Britain and a handsome Victorian building.
Associated, is the gas works’ office, which also dates from the 1870s and was built by John Laycock. It is also constructed of coursed sandstone and features ashlar dressings and a blue slate roof. It is a L shaped single storey block with a 3 storey corner clock tower, with ashlar plinth, quoin pilaster strips, and a bracketed eaves cornice. Semi circular arched windows with impost band and aprons under. West side has 5 windows. Square Italianate tower with classical doorcases with keystone, cast iron fanlight and gates. South front has 3 bays with arched doorcases and segmental pediment. |