Two historic Greater Manchester building's have been highlighted among nine in the region which have been added to Historic England's National Heritage List for England during 2022. An Art's and Craft's doctor's house in Ancoats as well as an Edwardian Bank in Heywood are two of 240 sites to have been added to the National Heritage List across the country this year.
The former doctor's surgery on Great Ancoats Street, on the edge of the city centre, is now Grade II listed and is thought to have been built in the early 19th century before being converted into a doctor's house and surgery in 1887. The red brick building, which photos show has been covered in graffiti, is now surrounded by the many new developments of Ancoats but was first built to serve the health needs of the working-class community of the time, in the world's first industrial suburb.
Historic England says that Ancoats started to become overcrowded as industry boomed around the Rochdale Canal with community welfare provision becoming a priority towards the end of the 19th century. Records suggest that a Dr Thomas Price converted the site into his house and surgery in an 'Arts and Crafts' style.
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It was used as a doctors surgery for the next 28 years. The building was converted into an office in the early 2000s.
The next building, on Church Street, Heywood, is a 103-year-old bank which is still in use. Historic England describe what is now a Barclays Bank as a "distinctive early 20th century bank which conveys the confidence and reliability of the Edwardian banking industry".
The bank was originally designed by the Mould brothers, James Diggle and Samuel Joseph, who designed a number of Union Banks in the region, some of which are also listed, including in Bury, Rochdale, and Nelson. This building was built in 1909.
Historic England’s Regional Director North, Trevor Mitchell, said: “The variety of listings this year illustrates the rich diversity of our shared heritage and the importance of everyday places – from an Edwardian Bank to an 18 th century watermill – that make up the fascinating fabric of our past. Places like this help to make us proud of where we live.
"As the challenges from the climate crisis grow, listing also helps to encourage keeping historic buildings in use, which avoids the massive amounts of extra carbon emissions associated with building new. In England, 99 per cent of us live less than a mile from a listed site and the festive season is a great time to find out more about the historic places on our doorsteps.
"This Christmas, we’re inviting everyone to help Enrich the List, by sharing their knowledge and pictures of listed places to help expand our shared understanding and perhaps even unlock some of the secrets of the past."
The other seven buildings in Greater Manchester that were included are:
- Brook House, Victoria Park, Rusholme
- Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Rosary, Flitton Hill, Oldham
- 83-87 Long Street, Middleton
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Chequerbent embankment of Bolton and Leigh Railway, between the A6 Manchester Road and the M61 at Chequerbent, Westhoughton
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Bury Bridge, Bolton Street, Bury
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17 Milnrow Road, Rochdale
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Air Raid Siren, Cecil Road, Hale
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