Barker Brothers Garage,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached single-cell double-height garage, built c.1950, located to west side of Main Street. Rectangular-on-plan.

Roof is pitched (shallower pitch to eaves) corrugated asbestos with leaded ridge; clear rooflight panels. Walls are roughcast rendered over smooth rendered plinth. Windows are square-headed metal casements in smooth architrave with painted masonry sills.

Principal elevation faces east and consists of gabled breakfront with stepped parapet; smooth rendered plat banding; central large square-headed opening containing vertically-sheeted sliding door surmounted by signage inscribed ‘BARKER BROS/ MOTOR ENGINEERS/ SHELL SERVICES’; flanked at left by fixed glazed window and at right by window opening (now blocked); each surmounted by smooth rendered emblem.

South elevation is three windows wide; square-headed timber panelled entrance door at right.

West elevation is exposed concrete blocks; central large square-headed opening with sliding steel door flanked at each side by window.

North elevation is three windows wide; abutted at right by single-storey flat-roofed garage.

Setting

Set in mechanic’s yard accessed directly from street at east. Multi-bay two-storey outbuilding to west abutted by lean-to extension; roof is pitched natural slate; walls are roughcast render; windows are metal casements; external steps at south provide access to first floor. Single-storey former shop at south in style of garage; roof is removed (flat roof with parapet); walls are roughcast with smooth rendered banding; large fixed glazed windows to each elevation.

Roof Corrugated asbestos cement
Walling Roughcast
Windows metal casements
RWG Cast-iron

Historical information

The garage first appears drawn onto the valuation map dating from 1954. In 1953 the plot is described as a house, garage, offices and land all valued at £50 and occupied by William Barker Junior and another. The valuer notes, “This farm has been sold to the Barker Bros who have erected a plain motor repair garage and service station in the Main Street, close to the dwelling house…Portion of the agricultural buildings are in use as an oil store, which parts have been removed to make room for the garage. There are two petrol pumps with 1000 gallon tanks. Private electricity supply to garage only, no water.” The garage is stated to have an area of 254 square yards.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI VAL/4/A/7/125 – Second General Revaluation Map (1954)
2. PRONI VAL/3/D/Y/8LL/3 – Valuers RV Binder (1933-1957)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A detached single-cell double-height garage, built c.1950, located to west side of Main Street. The building appears unchanged from its original form and materials, one of few such garages remaining from the mid-twentieth century. However, it is, essentially, a façade only in front of a relatively standard shed construction and is not one of the best examples of the type.