Bangor Post Office

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A multi-bay two-storey Neo-Georgian Post Office, built 1936 to plans by T F O Rippingham and located at the top of Main Street in the centre of Bangor. Rectangular on plan with one and two-storey returns to rear.

Pantile roof with deep overhanging eaves on steel brackets. Plastic rainwater goods. Walling is Flemish bonded red-brick with ashlar plinth and sandstone cornice; continuous sill to first floor. Windows are steel casements; multi-paned to first floor with splayed soldier courses to lintel; ground floor windows set in arched niches.

The principal elevation faces north-west and is symmetrically arranged with three windows to either side of a central doorway; slightly recessed slightly lower wings to both sides. Wings contain single opening to first floor and semi-circular window above continuous high level sill course to ground floor. Entrance is accessed by four stone steps; comprising three-panelled double-leaf timber door in fluted ashlar surround with twisted rope moulded detail; decorative console brackets surmounted by pediment with moulded cornice and shallow dentillation; all surmounted by fanlight set into arched brick niche. Letter boxes under windows to left and right of entrance; to left is an Edward VIII post box.

The north-east elevation is abutted by adjoining building.

The south-east (rear) elevation was viewed only from the road (see surveyor’s comments); comprising three windows to first floor and a single opening to first floor of additional bays. Abutted to right by a two-storey extension, which is further abutted to east by single-storey flat roof extension. To left of main block is a double-height flat-roof return with glass cupola over single-storey section to left; two window openings to exposed section.

The south-west elevation is abutted by the additional bay and comprises ramped pedimented entrance to ground floor (as described in main elevation) with single window to first floor.

Setting
Located in a prominent position, at the convergence of four roads, on Main Street in Bangor town centre. Bounded to east by tall brick wall with sliding steel security gates.

Roof: Pantile
Walling: Brick
Windows: Steel
RWG: uPVC

Historical information

The Post Office was built in 1936 and is first shown on the fifth edition OS map of 1939.

The Irish Builder attributes the design to Roland Ingleby Smith, Chief Architect of the Northern Ireland Ministry of Finance when it was built in 1936. However, it seems that many of the buildings attributed to Smith by the Irish Builder, were in fact the work of architects in his department and Patton states that the building is the work of Thomas Francis O Rippingham. (Irish Builder; Patton, p.126)

A rare Edward VIII letter box is built into the façade. According to Bexley Council Strategic Planning and Regeneration Department only 6 of these boxes were made during the short reign of Edward VIII. This is one of only two post offices bearing such a box, owing to the brevity of Edward’s reign, which began on 20 January 1936 and ended with his abdication on 11 December 1936. In addition, many of the postboxes produced during this year were altered after the abdication. Of the 100,000 letter boxes in the UK, only 57 have been identified which still bear his Royal Cipher. (Patton, p.126; www.inamidst.com/topic/edwardboxes)

During the early hours of 7th March 1993 a large bomb exploded approximately 30 meters from the front of the Post Office. Damage was confined to the front windows, doors and the front roof slope.

The renovation works were carried out under the direction of James Clark & Partners Surveyors and Engineers of Elizabeth House, 116 Holywood Road, Belfast. The windows to the front of the property were replaced by Joseph McManus Limited of Hydebank, Mallusk, Newtownabbey, who were the manufacturers and installers of the original windows.

The building is still in use as a Post Office.

References:

Primary Sources

1.PRONI OS/6/3/2/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1939
2.Irish Builder, Vol 78, 5 Sep 1936, p.783

Secondary Sources

1.Patton, M, “Bangor, An Historical Gazetteer” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1999
2.www.inamidst.com/topic/edwardboxes

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

A multi-bay two-storey Neo-Georgian Post Office, built 1936 to plans by T F O Rippingham for the Ministry of Finance and located on a prominent site at the top of Main Street in the centre of Bangor. A rare Edward VIII letter box is built into the facade, one of only two post offices bearing such a box in the UK. It is a good example of a purpose built Post Office designed by an important local architect, who was also responsible for the design of many public works, such as the Cregagh Housing Estate in Belfast, and for the standard design for RUC barracks throughout Ulster.