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- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
Located in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury, the Former HQ for Dewsbury Union was constructed in 1890s in the Renaissance Revival style. Latterly used as a registry office, the offices were built on the site of the old court, police station and lock-ups, which had earlier moved operations to the new Town Hall on its completion in 1889. It was from here that Dewsbury Poor Law Union, which had been established in 1837, oversaw the Poor Law in the surrounding eleven parishes of Dewsbury including Batley, Mirfield and Ossett. Overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, latterly an additional four parishes were added to the original 11 original parishes.
The building’s last use before its closure was as a registry office for weddings, births and deaths. However, in 2012 the services moved over to Dewsbury town hall and the building became surplus to requirements. In 2018, planning permission was applied for to convert the building into a hostel, but the application was unsuccessful and as a result the building currently stands empty and falling into disrepair. Despite this, numerous interior features survive, including mosaic floors, moulded architraves, etched-glass door screens and an impressive staircase with decorative balustrade. In September 2021, the building was Grade II listed.
2. The Explore
Finding decent above ground explores round our way hard to come by but this one has popped up a few times and is under an hour’s journey. So off we popped. Explored with two of my non-member mates. It’s bang in the centre of Dewsbury so we surreptitiously made our way in. It’s not the biggest of places but it’s pretty from the outside and even nicer on the inside. The metal faeires have been in and relieved the place of all of its fireplaces. But with a safe, mosaic flooring, moulded ceilings and engraved glass there’s more than enough to pass an hour of your time. Hopefully, it gets saved soon.
3. The Pictures
Lovely stonework:
And in we go. Starting at the basement.
This looks like an old records box:
Not one…
But two Xmas trees:
A hint of its former usage:
A petit WC:
But this is what it is all about:
And this:
This is the only bit of stained glass in the joint:
Some old signage:
And this was a bit special too:
Can’t believe they covered it up!
This was my favourite room downstairs:
Fireplace long gone:
Love the old safe:
Close-up of the maker’s crest:
Toilets:
Kitchen area:
Reception back room:
Another room sans fireplace:
Located in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury, the Former HQ for Dewsbury Union was constructed in 1890s in the Renaissance Revival style. Latterly used as a registry office, the offices were built on the site of the old court, police station and lock-ups, which had earlier moved operations to the new Town Hall on its completion in 1889. It was from here that Dewsbury Poor Law Union, which had been established in 1837, oversaw the Poor Law in the surrounding eleven parishes of Dewsbury including Batley, Mirfield and Ossett. Overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, latterly an additional four parishes were added to the original 11 original parishes.
The building’s last use before its closure was as a registry office for weddings, births and deaths. However, in 2012 the services moved over to Dewsbury town hall and the building became surplus to requirements. In 2018, planning permission was applied for to convert the building into a hostel, but the application was unsuccessful and as a result the building currently stands empty and falling into disrepair. Despite this, numerous interior features survive, including mosaic floors, moulded architraves, etched-glass door screens and an impressive staircase with decorative balustrade. In September 2021, the building was Grade II listed.
2. The Explore
Finding decent above ground explores round our way hard to come by but this one has popped up a few times and is under an hour’s journey. So off we popped. Explored with two of my non-member mates. It’s bang in the centre of Dewsbury so we surreptitiously made our way in. It’s not the biggest of places but it’s pretty from the outside and even nicer on the inside. The metal faeires have been in and relieved the place of all of its fireplaces. But with a safe, mosaic flooring, moulded ceilings and engraved glass there’s more than enough to pass an hour of your time. Hopefully, it gets saved soon.
3. The Pictures
Lovely stonework:
And in we go. Starting at the basement.
This looks like an old records box:
Not one…
But two Xmas trees:
A hint of its former usage:
A petit WC:
But this is what it is all about:
And this:
This is the only bit of stained glass in the joint:
Some old signage:
And this was a bit special too:
Can’t believe they covered it up!
This was my favourite room downstairs:
Fireplace long gone:
Love the old safe:
Close-up of the maker’s crest:
Toilets:
Kitchen area:
Reception back room:
Another room sans fireplace:
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