An article describing Slaithwaite Council’s plans to widen Carr Lane and the auction of properties that would become the new parade of shops. This scheme led directly to John Jagger’s redevelopment of the street.
Colne Valley Guardian, November 28th 1924
Carr Lane widening: Sale of property by Slaithwaite Council.
Four years ago, the Slaithwaite Council decided, subject to the consent of the Ministry of Health being obtained, to the borrowing of the necessary money to purchase from Lloyds Bank Limited the freehold premises in Carr Lane, occupied by Mr. J. S. Hague and Mrs. Hirst, with two houses at the back in Lewisham Road, occupied by Messrs. Daniel Hague and Joe Segden, for the price of £1,750.
It was further decided the application be made to borrow £4,000 for the purchase of this and other properties in Carr Lane, which had already been decided upon for the purpose of widening that street.
A public inquiry was conducted later at the Slaithwaite Town Hall into the application for the Council to borrow £4,000 for the purpose of purchasing property in Carr Lane, with a view to widening the road. Mr. E. Freeman, Clerk to the Council, outlined the object of the proposed loan.
It was, he said, an important thoroughfare in Slaithwaite, and as a recent census taken by the County Council, it was found that in one week, the amount of through traffic was 583 vehicles and local traffic 1083. The width of the road was 24 feet, including causeway, and it was so narrow for the stream of traffic it not only caused inconvenience but had at times occasional danger. It was impossible to widen the road on the other side, owing to the close proximity of the canal, so the Council decided to purchase this property and put back the building line so as to allow a uniform width of 30 feet and 9 inches.
The property comprised, newsagent shop¹ owner, Mr. J. W. Lockwood; vacant house; stables, etcetera; and Milliner’s shop² owner, Mr. Harry Sykes; and house³ and wooden shop, owner Lloyds Bank Limited. The total price was £3,900, and £100 was allowed for general expenses of transferring, etc.
Considerable structural alterations will be necessary to some of the property. It was old and would have to be demolished and re-erected on the new line. It would probably be sold again subject to certain restrictions for the best price obtainable. The estimated value of the property on the new line was £3,380, leaving the actual cost of widening £680.
At a later date the property was offered for sale by auction at the Commercial Hotel in two lots. The purchasers would be required to set back the building line with the purpose of street widening within three years.
The first lot to comprise two shops occupied by Miss Townend¹, stationer and Miss Hobson², Draper, together with the empty house³ and the stables and yard. The net income was £52, four shillings, and 10 pence. Bidding started at £800 and rose in sums of £100 until £1100 was reached when another £50 was bid, whereon the auctioneer said he would leave lot one and offer lot two.
This embraced the property, starting with a shop occupied by Mr. J. S. Hague, the wooden shop, Carr Lane House⁴ and the two dwelling houses in Lewisham Road. The frontage to Carr Lane was 94 feet and the net income was £77, 4 shillings, and 5 pence. The street widening proposal would only affect Mr. Hague’s shop and the wooden shop adjoining. Bidding started at £100 and was taken to £1100.
When the auctioneer asked for bids for the whole of the property, £1500 was offered, which was promptly increased to £2000, and as no other bid was forthcoming, the property was withdrawn.
Since then, the property has been on offer by private treaty, and more than one offer has been made, but not accepted. Recently, an offer was made by Mr. Jagger, builder and contractor of Brighouse, which the Council accepted, of £2450.
It will be remembered that many years ago, Mr. Jagger resided in Slaithwaite, and a large proportion of the newest property at Hilltop was erected by him and sold to tenants. Considerable satisfaction is felt by the ratepayers generally, and the members of the Council in particular, that the transfer of the property has been affected and has been acquired by a gentleman who is likely to make the best possible use of it.
This article has been transcribed from The Colne Valley Guardian and is used here for historical/educational purposes, no commercial gain intended.
Notes
¹ Jane Townend bought this property in the new parade — see No. 12 (Now Ryder & Dutton) for Miss Townend’s story.
² Mary Louisa Hobson bought (and lost) this property in the new parade — see No. 16 (Now Colne Valley Motor Parts) for Miss Hobson’s story.
³ Mrs Ada Dyson had lived here with eight members of her family. Widowed, she moved into the accommodation above the new No. 19 — see No. 19 (Now Vanilla Bean Bistro) for Mrs Dyson’s story.
⁴ This became Green’s Print Shop (Colne Valley Guardian). Mrs Hirst moved into the accommodation above the new No. 15, Crowther’s butchers — see No. 15 (Now Culture) for Mrs. Hirst’s story.
