Location
Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard
Photo Gallery -
click here to see photos and pictures of the Corn Exchange
History
The Corn Exchange was built in 1862 on
the site of the George public house
and cost £7,500.
Shortly after its contsruction an article was published
in the London Illustrated News (23rd May 1863) and this gives a
very good
architectural description of the building, as well as a unique
view (shown to the right). The article reads as follows:
In the early part of the year 1861 a project was conceived to
erect a Corn Exchange in the important agricultural town of Leighton
Buzzard, Bedfordshire, and, by the exertions of a few individuals,
the object has been successfully accomplished.
The Exchange is a very handsome structure,
situated in a commanding position, at one end of the market
place, with a good frontage.
The Exchange-hall is spacious, and decorated with Ionic pilasters,
cornice, and recessed, arched windows at the sides; the ceiling
is formed into sunk coffers by enriched stiles, supported
by coved ribs; the most essential points (light, sound, ventilation, &c),
for night as well as by day, have been well tested, and are
found good. The design throughout is chaste and original, the
front being
designed in the modern Italian style of architecture, and
consists of two stories of three light Venetian windows, with
deeply moulded
an carved pilasters and quoins, the whole surmounted by an
open balustrade, with piers and carved urns. In the centre
is an open
tower, projecting over the pavement, the lower story of which
is arched, and the upper one has carved caryatides, supporting
a deep
frieze and bold modillion cornice, over which a beautifully
proportioned octangular turret rises to a total height of about
eighty five
feet, the whole forming a most imposing facade, and an interesting
ornament to the town. The basement story consists of cellars
for storing wine, &c. Through a wide entrance corridor
(with various offices on either side for merchants), and rising
by a broad flight
of stone steps, the level of the assembly-room is attained,
which is entered from a spacious landing. Attached to the
Assembly-rooms are retiring-rooms, which, with it, occupy
all the space over
the
entrance and the offices. The architects were Messrs. Bellamy
and Hardy of Lincoln. The cost of the site and buildings
was about
£7,500 and the works have been executed by Messrs. Osborne
Brothers, builders, Leicester.
The building contained public meeting rooms,
shops, lecture rooms, a large assembly room and a theatre.
By 1932 the spire
was deemed to be a safety hazard and consequently the top part
was removed (see photo & picture
gallery), and the whole
building was finally demolished
in 1965.
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