Английская Википедия:Corn Exchange, Tunbridge Wells
Шаблон:Short description Шаблон:Use dmy dates Шаблон:Use British English Шаблон:Infobox historic site The Corn Exchange is a commercial building in The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. The structure, which is currently used as an antiques and fine art market, is a Grade II listed building.[1]
History
The building was commissioned by the theatre manager, Sarah Baker, as the Tunbridge Wells Theatre, in the early 19th century.[2] It was designed in the neoclassical style, built in brick with a stucco finish and was officially opened on 8 July 1802.[3] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of three bays facing onto The Pantiles. The ground floor was rusticated and the central bay featured a porch formed by two Doric order columns and two Doric order pilasters supporting an entablature and a cornice. The central bay was fenestrated by single sash windows on the first and second floors while the outer bays were fenestrated by tri-partite windows on all three floors. At roof level, there was a cornice and a parapet.[1] The actors Edmund Kean and Charles Kemble both performed on the stage in the building in the first half of the 19th century.[4] After Baker died in 1816, the theatre passed to her son-in-law, William Dowton, but audiences dwindled, and the theatre closed in 1843.[2]
A group of local businessmen then decided to form a company, to be known as the "Tunbridge Wells Corn Exchange Company", to operate the building as a corn exchange: a large panel, inscribed with the words "Corn Exchange", flanked by carvings of wheat sheaves, and surmounted by a statue of the goddess, Ceres, was installed on the roof.[1] After the works had been completed, the building was re-opened by John Nevill, 3rd Earl of Abergavenny, whose seat was at Eridge Park, in November 1844.[4] The use of the building as a corn exchange declined significantly in the wake of the Great Depression of British Agriculture in the late 19th century.[5] The assets of the company were sold and the Tunbridge Wells Corn Exchange Company was placed into liquidation in January 1902.[6]
The building was then used as a drill hall by C Squadron of the Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry during the First World War.[7] After the war, it became the auction house of a local firm of auctioneers, Carter Banks and Bennett.[4] It remained in the ownership of the Nevil family of Eridge Park until 1939, when it was acquired by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.[8]
A major programme of refurbishment works costing £1.1 million was completed in 1989, and the building subsequently re-opened as a tourist attraction known as "A Day at the Wells". However, after visitor numbers reduced, the attraction closed in 2004.[9] The building subsequently operated as a small galleria for independent retailers but many of the shops closed within a few years.[10]
In February 2012, Christopher Nevill, 6th Marquess of Abergavenny acquired a series of properties in the Lower Pantiles, including the corn exchange, with a view to carrying out sympathetic redevelopment.[8] Following a further refurbishment, the building was reopened as an antiques and fine art market, known as the "Pantiles Arcade", in July 2021.[11] Individuals opening shops there included the television presenter, Eric Knowles, who opened a "decorative art and design emporium",[12] and the auctioneer, Charles Hanson, who opened an auction house there.[13]
See also
References
- Английская Википедия
- Страницы с неработающими файловыми ссылками
- Commercial buildings completed in 1802
- Buildings and structures in Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Grade II listed buildings in Kent
- Corn exchanges in England
- Страницы, где используется шаблон "Навигационная таблица/Телепорт"
- Страницы с телепортом
- Википедия
- Статья из Википедии
- Статья из Английской Википедии
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