8 Temple End
Location/Address
None recorded
Type
Description
Former furniture factory of Forward and Donnelly, built in 1888 with later extensions.
Brick and timber two-storey furniture workshop built 1888 end-on to Temple End. Single-storey machine shop was added to higher ground at the rear around 1902 and is accessed via a service road fom Priory Avenue. Three storey connecting building has been altered, probably in the 1920s and has a fully hipped slate roof. Rear yard contains a derelict brick drying kiln (believed to be a 1950s -1960s replacement of original) and Cyclone funnel shaped extractor. The complex exemplifies the transition from chairmaking to general furniture making which was common in High Wycombe in the late 19th century with the typical chairmaker's brick and timber workshop having a machine shop added. The office which fronts Temple End retains its gas lights and timber panelling. The 1910 Valuation Survey shows the workshops, stores, office, stable and harness room, a shed and a drying store. A change in the roofline and brickwork indicates that the front office section was probably a later addition. Evidence of the original drying kiln can be seen in the remnants of its arched roof in the northern wall. The front workshop has most of its original windows. The external staircase is a metal replacement. Some doors have been replaced. The rear machine shop still contains machinery and many original windows with their overlapping panes of glass, typical of this building-type. The whole complex is in a poor state of repair. The rear machine shop is within the Priory Road Conservation area. Report and photographs (B1). Air raid shelter to south of building (CASS 08485).
One of the few remaining furniture factories remaining in the town centre. Originally Forward and Donnelly which closed in the 1960s. They were a cabinet making family from Bath, and renown for their high quality reproduction furniture and wood carving. A brick and timber clad former furniture workshop with machine shop to rear, with slate roofing. 3 sections. Some decorative details including window headers and a dentil eaves course. Original wooden doors and windows survive but in a poor state of repair. The front part of the building dates from approx 1888. This is of deep red brick with a steeply pitched slate and tile roof. Dentil eaves detail to gable facing road. Wooden casement windows to gable, and range of windows to upper level to light factory within. Some weatherboarding remains at upper floor. Large sliding wooden doors to ground floor. The 3 storey middle section was heightened and altered at some stage. This is of a paler red brick under a hipped slate roof. In 2004 it was reported that most of the machinery remained in situ. The single storey machine shop on higher ground at the rear dates from 1902 when Priory Avenue was first built up, and lies within the Priory Avenue conservation area. Also to the rear are the standing remains of a kiln associated with the factory. Modern development has encroached very close to the factory buildings facing Temple End. Building in a poor state of repair. Proposed for inclusion on local list (B2).
Added to local list (B3).
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Former furniture factory of Forward and Donnelly, built in 1888 with later extensions.
Date Listed
n/a