Summary
Former mining exchange, now commercial premises. 1880, by James Hicks.
Reasons for Designation
The former mining exchange on Alma Place, Redruth is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest:
* as a characterful example of the work of Redruth’s principal C19 architect, James Hicks;
* although small-scale in its execution, the building is well detailed and utilises local materials in its construction.
Historic interest:
* as a significant component in the late-C19 post-mining building boom in Redruth, many buildings for which were designed by Hicks;
* as a purpose-built mining exchange, an unusual building type, which was of significant importance to the industry in Cornwall and also on a national and international level.
Group value:
* with the former Redruth District Bank, Lamb and Flag coffee tavern, and Wheal Peevor purser’s office on Alma Place, designed by James Hicks between 1880 and 1882, and listed at Grade II.
History
Since 1726 mining transaction (‘ticketings’) and business matters had been conducted at Tabb’s Hotel on Fore Street; this building was destroyed by fire and replaced with a new hotel designed by James Hicks in 1894. Transactions continued there until the need for a convenient and purpose-built exchange was initiated in January 1880 with the formation of a company. Its directors included many prominent names in Redruth including Mr DW Bain and Mr TW Field (founders of the Redruth District Bank) and Alfred Lanyon (a Redruthian who had amassed a fortune through investment in commercial, industrial and private buildings), along with about 80 others. A site for the exchange at the foot of Railway Hill was quickly chosen, on land owned by Gustavus Lambert Basset (1834-1888) of Tehidy. The plans were passed on 26 January 1880 and construction started that February. The contractors were Grey and Tamlyn, and the architect James Hicks.
James Hicks (1846-1896) was born in Redruth and lived in the town for almost his entire life. By the age of 25 Hicks had set up his own practice; an early commission was the remodelling of Tolvean on West End, Redruth for Alfred Lanyon. Hicks’ relationship with businessmen and industrialists continued during his career, and for ten years he was the local agent of Lord Clinton. The bulk of Hicks’ work comprised public buildings including chapels and schools throughout Cornwall, but from the mid-1870s he began to have an influence on the building stock, and the civil direction, of his hometown. In 1883 he acquired the lease for the nearby Carn Marth granite quarries from Lord Clinton and James Buller, forming the Cornish Granite and Freestone Company. The company took their fair share of new building contracts in Redruth, highlighting his interest in the wellbeing of the town. In 1894 Hicks became the first President of the Ratepayer’s Association and was a member of Redruth Urban District Council from 1895.
Until the mid-C19 Redruth’s centre of commerce was West End; this changed in 1852 when the railway station was built near the market house (built 1825-1826), the commercial benefits of convenience were realised, and Alma Place became a focal point for future development. James Hicks was probably contracted for the mining exchange as he was designing other buildings on Alma Place as part of its redevelopment into an economic hub. Bain, Field, Hitchins and Co were instrumental in the construction of a whole block of buildings on Alma Place, all of the land for which was owned by Basset. The block comprised the mining exchange, the Redruth District Bank, a post office, and a coffee tavern. A purser’s office was added to the south of the group in 1883.
A committee for the mining exchange was additionally formed to draw up the rules; these were passed on 21 April 1880 and The Redruth Mining Exchange Company (Limited) formed with 100 shares to be issued (80 were immediately subscribed to, with ten left to produce extra capital and the remaining ten as reserve). To become a member a subscription for shareholders was 15s, and for non-shareholders 30s. Only members were admitted into the exchange, with strict rules for members introducing strangers, especially those from outside Cornwall. A telegram was received twice daily from London on the state of the metal market, added to by a fortnightly or monthly report from the mine managers; all information was kept confidential. Mine captains were fined for swearing in the exchange, with proceeds going to the Miners’ Hospital at West End.
The mining exchange was opened on 13 May 1880 by Mr DW Bain. At the opening, it was described that the exchange ‘now meets the eye the first thing in coming from the station’ and comprised one large well-ventilated and lit room with six chairs and tables. To the rear was a cloak room and other conveniences. A refreshment stand was provided in the main room, supplied by Mr Edwards at the Lamb and Flag Coffee Tavern which was constructed at the same time just to the north on Alma Place. Due to the topography, the mining exchange was built above the eastern open colonnade of the Buttermarket courtyard; in 1892 this space was used as a wholesale meat market but was infilled in the later-C20 as a commercial unit.
On 25 April 1889 a peaceful protest was held by miners outside of the mining exchange, demonstrating against the stopping of Wheal Agar engine which would flood East Pool Mine. The square at Alma Place would become a regular location for gatherings including miner’s strikes, for those signing up for the First and Second World Wars, and at times of celebration when those wars ended.
The mining exchange continued in use throughout and after the First World War; it is unknown when it was last used for its original purpose but this may have been around 1923 when it was used as a one-off venue for a string quartet performance. In the later C20 it became a day centre, then offices and then a shop. The building is now in commercial use.
Details
Former mining exchange, now commercial premises, 1880, by James Hicks.
MATERIALS: Granite ashlar, killas rubble and red brick, with limestone dressings.
PLAN: rectangular in plan, extending to the west into the Buttermarket courtyard.
EXTERIOR: the building is designed in an eclectic Renaissance style over one storey on the front (east) elevation with a lower-ground floor to the west. It is constructed on a killas rubblestone plinth with a roof which is hipped at the east end. The main elevation (east) is symmetrical and of three bays. In the centre of the elevation is a large round-headed entrance with granite steps, and a limestone architrave with set-in colonettes with foliate capitals. The arch has carved foliate panels in the soffit and a raised keystone. Above this is a dentilled cornice and a parapet entablature with a blind balustrade. Central within the parapet is a panel inscribed ‘MINING EXCHANGE’; above this is a segmental-arch parapet topped with a large ball finial, and within the arch is a carved shield containing the Duchy of Cornwall crest and the inscription ’ONE AND ALL’. The elevation’s outer bays are narrower and of red brick. Each has a large round-headed window with a keystone rising to a cornice, and limestone dressings. Windows are timber-framed fixed casements and the main entrance contains timber double doors with fielded panels.
The north elevation adjoins the neighbouring former Redruth District Bank. The south elevation is rendered on the first floor where there are two segmental-arch headed windows with timber sashes, and the ground floor has large granite quoins. The whole building extends west to adjoin the Buttermarket courtyard and the west elevation abuts its northern courtyard range; the elevation above is painted brick. Below the upper windowed range, a C20 inserted shop-unit extends into the lower ground-floor of the Mining Exchange.
INTERIOR: altered.
