PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
|
|
There had previously been a Corn Chamber in the Market but in 1893 this was replaced by a proper Corn Exchange. This was designed by Mr Charles King of 20 Princess Square, Plymouth, and the contractor was Mr Samuel Roberts, also of Plymouth. He promised to complete the Corn Exchange block by September 1st 1893 and in the July the architect was reported to have been 'well satisfied with the works'. It was built of limestone and Bath stone with wall seats and doors of mahogany. The two stairways and lobbies were of huge slabs of granite. The Corn Exchange was opened on Thursday March 29th 1894 when a cold lunch was provided at a price (not cost -- they had to pay for their own meal!) of 2s 6d per head. The Mayor, William Law, was presented with a silver key and he declared the Exchange opened for business at 3pm. The key is now in the possession of the South Devon and East Cornwall branch of the National Association of Corn and Agricultural Merchants and hangs on the Presidential Chain. Various rules were laid down in the form of Byelaws. No nails or screws were to be put in the walls; smoking was prohibited; it was to open on Thursdays at 2pm and a bell was to be sounded at 5pm to denote the end of business for the day; and a day ticket for farmers offering samples of corn was to cost one shilling. The opening times were soon altered to 1pm until 4pm and included a market on Tuesdays as well as Thursdays. The charge was raised to two shillings. Once a month the Corn Exchange was washed out at a cost of ten shillings a time. In September 1948 Messrs Parker and Smith of Plymouth supplied a piano for the Exchange at a cost of £30 per annum. The Women's Voluntary Service wanted to use the kitchens on two mornings a week during 1950 for the preserving and canning of fruit but the Council refused them permission. The Corn Exchange along with the Wholesale Meat Market closed early in 1952 and was being demolished in April of that year.
|
