Located where old meets new, and having been derelict for some years, it would be easy to overlook the historic nature of the site. Instead, our designs aim to recognise its history, using materials that draw on surrounding architecture and honour the area’s heritage.
In the 1860s, today’s Central Area comprised a dense urban block occupied by a continuous line of development fronting the high street, this was most likely commercial units and warehousing, including an ironmonger’s workshop and yard, which gives the place its name. By the late 19th century, a row of terrace houses had been constructed along Bardell Terrace. These houses faced onto the railway. There was also a small thoroughfare connecting Furrell’s Road and Star Hill. The south western corner then became a public house, known as The Red Lion pub.
Many of the buildings within the Central Area were demolished in the 1930s, and the previous block structure was eroded. A cluster of rectangular buildings were constructed in their place, most likely used for light industry. Around this time, Corporation Street was realigned and widened.
In the 1980s, the Central Area was again cleared and redeveloped. This considerably changed the townscape. The thoroughfare within the site was also removed, weakening accessibility within the block.
Since the early 2000s, the Central Area has comprised a large area of hardstanding, predominantly used for parking, and several light industrial buildings. The Southern Area was most recently occupied by a large garage premises and a two to three storey building, with modern retail units fronting the High Street.
