This place is epic.
The Pioneer Building
In 1863, twenty years after the Rochdale Pioneers opened their co-operative, the North of England Co-operative Society was launched by 300 individual co-ops across Yorkshire and Lancashire. By 1872, it had become known as the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS).
Northgate's Pioneer building was originally built to house the Dewsbury Co-op society, then known as the Pioneers' Industrial Society. The hall seated over 1000 people, and later became the Pioneer Theatre and then the Pot Black snooker hall.
The impressive building was designed by Holtom and Fox architects, and built in 1872.
Henry Holtom was a prolific architect. Born in Stratford in the 1840s, he moved to Dewsbury in his early 20s. He became a member of Dewsbury town council, serving All Saints' ward for three years in 1871, and in 1883 he was elected mayor.
During the 1880s his apprentice George Fox was made partner, and together the pair designed Dewsbury town hall, which was completed in 1889 for £40,000. As well as the Pioneer building and the town hall, Henry designed churches, schools and houses.
The building features a fantastic potts clock with a bell tower above.
http://silverstealth.fotopic.net/c1580101.html
The Pioneer Building
In 1863, twenty years after the Rochdale Pioneers opened their co-operative, the North of England Co-operative Society was launched by 300 individual co-ops across Yorkshire and Lancashire. By 1872, it had become known as the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS).
Northgate's Pioneer building was originally built to house the Dewsbury Co-op society, then known as the Pioneers' Industrial Society. The hall seated over 1000 people, and later became the Pioneer Theatre and then the Pot Black snooker hall.
The impressive building was designed by Holtom and Fox architects, and built in 1872.
Henry Holtom was a prolific architect. Born in Stratford in the 1840s, he moved to Dewsbury in his early 20s. He became a member of Dewsbury town council, serving All Saints' ward for three years in 1871, and in 1883 he was elected mayor.
During the 1880s his apprentice George Fox was made partner, and together the pair designed Dewsbury town hall, which was completed in 1889 for £40,000. As well as the Pioneer building and the town hall, Henry designed churches, schools and houses.
The building features a fantastic potts clock with a bell tower above.
http://silverstealth.fotopic.net/c1580101.html