In NP for now because the site manager is a member on 28DL (I don't know him or his username) and he gave a friend a permission tour on the condition it wasn't posted on here until it was demolished. A request which I wouldn't honour, except that should any locals want a quick look, I don't want to make it more difficult for them. It might last a few more days, depending how fast they work. There's a lot of scrap to be removed and the nice facade is untouched for now. Under the front facade is the old gents toilets with painted wooden stalls. I didn't get to them tonight.
Photo © Andy Duffy http://www.trucknetuk.com/
Photo © Andy Duffy http://www.trucknetuk.com/
The Hollingdrake Automobile Company was formed in 1904. The current building dates from 1923. Although I was interested in the car showroom, I really wanted to find evidence of an older building. There was a windmill here which was owned by William Robinson, who had a corn factory at the bottom of Hillgate. The miller was a one-armed man named Levi. It was a circular, conical building, used in the mid 19th century to hold Chartist (campaigners for political reform) meetings.
I had heard that a plaque commemorating the windmill was in the basement of Hollingdrakes. I didn't find it on this visit. This old photo shows part of the windmill's base.
Hollingdrakes is currently being demolished. People have objected, but to no avail. As it's too late to save it I will just add a brief quote from Stockport Council “Historic buildings are a valuable and irreplaceable resource”.
Their Town Hall Conservation Area Management Plan said “Following … the designation of the Town Hall Conservation Area, Stockport Council has undertaken a review of key historic buildings ... This review has resulted in the inclusion of the … Hollingdrakes building on Stockport’s ‘Schedule of Buildings of Local Interest’ from 2009.”
However, it was not to be retained and this lovely art deco facade will be replaced by an ugly glass box. Some interesting history in the Heritage Statement.
On our first visit, FreshFingers hit the scaff for some rooftop shots. I would have joined him but at that moment people poured out of a show at the town hall so I just loitered in the crowd, sneakily watching FreshFingers crawl along the scaff in full view, should anyone look up that way. There was no access inside at that point. This week, it's wide open and not long for this world. I scrabbled under the heras and ran around snapping pics before it got dark.
The council offices of those responsible for the destruction of our local heritage
The showroom
Upstairs
There are three safes, and three sets of keys. I didn't try them.
