real time web analytics
Report - - Union Offices, Dewsbury, West Yorks, July 2022 | Other Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Union Offices, Dewsbury, West Yorks, July 2022

Hide this ad by donating or subscribing !

HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
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
A previous report that got deleted in the site up-date so reposting it as this was a bit of a little gem. Finding decent above ground explores round our way have become hard to come by, so when this one popped up a few times and was under an hour’s journey we decided to pop over and have a look 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 will gets saved before it gets trashed.

3. The Pictures

Full frontal:

52223291163_9b37030a79_b.jpg


Lovely stonework:

52228008299_e019807000_b.jpg


52228008829_a1738e1d7c_b.jpg


And in we go. Starting at the basement.

52223293643_6121d00f3c_b.jpg


This looks like an old records box:

52223545139_65cb121b89_b.jpg


Not one…

52223765710_d54304a365_b.jpg


But two Xmas trees:

52222272882_3570723ae7_b.jpg


A hint of its former usage:

52222272787_7b766b28d8_b.jpg


A petit WC:

52223763990_e167a77e7a_b.jpg


But this is what it is all about:

52222272732_86142c09a4_b.jpg


52223293128_bc0bcdce97_b.jpg


And this:

52223546549_2432780e05_b.jpg


52223765310_33dee41081_b.jpg


52228222225_28c9ecc18f_b.jpg


This is the only bit of stained glass in the joint:

52222272452_b27013e25b_b.jpg


Some old signage:

52223546319_e9f08f389c_b.jpg


And this was a bit special too:

52223545089_ce6837c3ac_b.jpg


Can’t believe they covered it up!

52223291303_b797d84792_b.jpg


This was my favourite room downstairs:

52223275096_8211fd82d9_b.jpg


Fireplace long gone:

52223273656_ece0594e36_b.jpg


Love the old safe:

52223274776_2d842bd2cf_b.jpg


Close-up of the maker’s crest:

52225748186_30031c7911_b.jpg


Toilets:

52225760383_cc899e8218_b.jpg


Kitchen area:

52227754283_043dc937ca_b.jpg


Reception back room:

52223292453_a62790a1cc_b.jpg


52226233040_c1110254bc_b.jpg


Another room sans fireplace:

52225761768_02e09596df_b.jpg
 
Last edited:

HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
CONTINUED:

Upstairs we go:

52222270792_102dc0ba6d_b.jpg


52223292393_25fb987402_b.jpg


52223764430_1b3fd276c7_b.jpg


52226230670_aee717a0fd_b.jpg


That ceiling is a bit special:

52223274471_caa075594d_b.jpg


A side room:

52222271597_f0fd46823f_b.jpg


52225746876_2d774b96cb_b.jpg


And into the main up-stairs room:

52226020319_f31abfb6e3_b.jpg


Where the ceiling is very special:

52222271507_18793e22b1_b.jpg


And back down:

52227754533_a0d72be112_b.jpg


And out:

52227750428_0748d42f6e_b.jpg


That's all folks!!!
 
Last edited:

Wally_urbex

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Nice take on it mate. I did enjoy this 1. That staircase and the pink and blue cealing upstairs was lovely
 

Calamity Jane

i see beauty in the unloved, places & things
Regular User
Lots to admire here. You found the goods. Those mosaic floor tiles, what a little gem
 

JakeV50

"The Pump People"
Regular User
Some beautiful decay in here. I'd have loved to see that tiled floor back in the day, looks like it would have been stunning. Nicely done.
 
Top