The Building News; Great Grimsby Liberal Club premises 1884.

An original page from The Building News, dated 21st November 1884. An artist’s impression of the proposed new building in Central Market. The architect was Charles Bell F.R.I.B.A., London and Grimsby. The artist was D. Home. The print was photo-lithographed and printed by James Akerman, 6 Queen Square W.C.

The building was designed to house a coffee tavern, a grocer and a china & glass and earthenware shop as well as the Liberal Club.

We also have an artist’s impression of Holme Hill School, Grimsby. This was in an earlier edition of The Building News, dated 1876. The architect was also Charles Bell F.R.I.B.A., London and Grimsby.

Charles Bell was born in Grantham c1846, son of Henry Bell. He was articled to the London architect John Giles. In 1870 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects and started independent practice. In 1881, he lived at 40, Belsize Park, Hampstead. In 1888 he was working from Dashwood House, 9 New Broad Street, London. He designed a large number of significant buildings around the London area and further afield, including a number in Lincolnshire. He designed over 60 Wesleyan chapels.

Charles Bell died in 1899. The practice subsequently became Bell Withers & Meredith.

Note: It seems strange that Charles Bell described himself as being based in London and Grimsby. Did he ever have an office in Grimsby?