Lytham Police Station &
Magistrates Court - Bad news

We understand that Lytham Police Station & Magistrates Court is being put up for auction by the property division of the Lancashire police authority. This is to say the least disappointing because we have been in touch with them over the last few years expressing our concern about the future of this distinctive building. They have allowed us to hold Heritage Open Days in the Edwardian Courtroom, and these have proved very popular. Hundreds of people have had the opportunity to have a glimpse into the past. The police had assured us that no "unsuitable use" would be found. Now the doors are open for a pub chain to make a bid.

What is likely to happen now?

A guide price of £500,000 is rumoured, the auctioneers are Roy Pugh and Co., the auction is at Manchester airport. Listed building consent will have to be sought for any proposed conversion, and we will oppose any alteration to the courtroom and front of the building.

What could be done with the courtroom?
Is there an alternative to destruction?

We have proved that there can be a use for the courtroom:

1. Heritage/tourism interest. This is a rare survival of an intact courtroom, magistrates retiring room and cells.
2. The court has been used for educational purposes since it closed in 1998. Citizenship is part of the national curriculum. School children can hold mock trials.
3. It could be licensed for weddings.
4. It would make a brilliant film set.
5. We have held a performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's "Trial by Jury" there - a short piece, with supper provided nearby. This can be repeated. There is room for an audience of about 50.

What would we like to see on the site as a whole?

The modern extensions in the rear could be re-developed for housing, and the old court cocooned with a separate entrance, managed by a charitable trust.

We would not like to see a theme pub called "The old nick" !! This would lead to the destruction of original features, and cause a lot of disruption in a residential area.

We urge everyone to contact their councillors, MP, the police authority, the press, English Heritage, and the auctioneers. Please protest loudly! The Civic Society will be contacting as many people as we can.

Here are some details about the police station:

Lytham Police Station, with integral Magistrates Court, is a complete contrast to the style of other public buildings in Lytham. During the late nineteenth century Lytham's population, and that of its new neighbour, St. Annes, grew considerably, and it was recognised that Lytham badly needed its own Court House. The nearest court, Kirkham, was small, uncomfortable and too far for people to travel.

At first it was thought that the old police premises in Bannister Street could be extended and modernised, but the authorities concluded that these should be demolished and replaced with an imposing new structure. They appointed Manchester architect Henry Littler, who also designed the old St Annes College and parts of Rossall School, and awarded the contract to Henry Mogridge of Lytham. Building began in late 1900, and, apart from the brickwork and slating, the work was sub-contracted to local craftsmen. The total cost was over £7,000. The opening ceremony took place in August 1902, and the first chairman of the bench was Thomas Fair, the Clifton Estate agent.

The two-storey Edwardian Baroque style building is faced in Enfield bricks, with Holmfirth stone in the front ornamentation. It has a hipped slate roof and a number of fascinating architectural features including a distinctive arched porch at ground level surmounted by a large Venetian style door fronted by a bowed stone balcony. An unusual feature is a large octagonal turret to one side.

Number One Courtroom has some of the finest court fixtures in Lancashire, including the magistrates' bench with retiring room, and a central prisoner's dock with stairs leading down to the cells below. The gas-light fittings survive and have been converted to electricity. The Court has a beautifully plastered Gothic ceiling with two large leaded-light windows with a central red rose of Lancaster. The window in the north wall bears the Lancashire coat of arms. The public entrance is in North Clifton Street. Sadly, the Court was closed at the end of 1998 but has since been opened to the public annually by the Civic Society for Heritage Open Days .