Armoury Towers

Barracks Square or the Militia Barracks is a square Macclesfield, England that was first developed in the 1850s for the military. The barracks, consisting of married quarters, CO's quarters and the armoury were for the use of the permanent staff of the 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia.

Armoury Towers

Cheshire Militia Band c1860?

Military History

• Land off Crompton Road discussed for purchase in April 1852.
• In 1857 the County Quarter Sessions resolved that a barracks should be provided for the arms, stores and permanent staff of the 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia.
• Designed by a local architect James Stevens, together with a Mr Pownall of London. The buildings were completed in 1858-1859.
• The Barracks was built as the home of the 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia in 1858-1859 by Mr W H Brown from Stockport for the sum of £11,381-1-10 (1860 price).
• 1914 Kelly also noted that 'The D Squadron, The Cheshire (Earl of Chester's) Yeomanry Territorial Force have head quarters at The Barracks, Crompton road.

Civilian History

Barracks Square 1859

Barracks Square (1859)

• After the Army left, large parts of the Barracks were rented to the Scouts. Armoury Towers was even fitted with its own 15 yard indoor rifle range. The first shots being fired by Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell.
• 1918 the barracks became private dwellings. The armoury became a store for general industry and was used as a cork factor and pig farm at different times.
• A some time a printing company called Sherratts used to let some rooms at the Barracks. The company also had premises on Thorpe Street and Lower Heyes at one time or another. Sherratts also apparently had a small golf course in Higher Hurdsfield at one time.
• 11 October 1973. Grade II listed status granted.
• 1977 - The old Armoury (later Armoury Towers) was converted for use as a night club. The Armoury Club was set up by a Mr Peter Hague and Peter Dale. In 1980 they sold the club to Mr John Collier and Mr Mike Perks who renamed it "Knights".
• 1977 - The whole barracks was declared a conservation area.
• 1984 - Demolition of 13 garages and entrance to old nightclub. Extension to rear.
• 1989 - Old nightclub converted to self contained apartments by Messers Collier and Perks.
• 2006 - Drummer's Keep and Evington House were renovated. Evington House had previously been used as a plumber's merchants, whilst Drummer's Keep was a timber / builders yard.
• 2007 - Barracks Square Renovation Committee formed.
• 2008 - Central garden removed to allow original drains to be replaced. New garden built by residents upon receipt of grants from Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster and Peter Jones.
• 2009 - New flagpole donated by Sir Nicholas Winterton DL MP.
• 2009 - Perimeter wall to Armoury Court Mews / Crompton Road repaired. Macclesfield Civic Society award presented.
• 2009 - Clock mechanism replaced.
• 2010 - Main parade ground resurfaced by donations from residents.
• 27 April 2011 - Awarded Macclesfield Civic Society award for the renovation works.
• 24 May 2011 - new weather vane fitted (kindly paid for by Louise Robinson and Tony of 10+12 Barracks Square).

References

• Home, Robert (1978). Macclesfield as it was. Nelson, Lancashire: Hendon Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 0-860-67032-5.
• Gosling, Norman (2002). Big Hats, Shorts and Dyb Dyb Dyb (A history of Macclesfield & Congleton District, Scouts). Stockport: Qualitech Group.

Photographs

To see old and new photos visit here and go to the "public" tab to see photos old and new - including the 2010 renovation, press releases, etc..

Electoral Rolls & Censuses

Electoral rolls (1945 - 1974) and censuses (1871-1911) are here.

Video

See some video footage

Other useful links

• 1882 Ordnance Survey map
• View Barracks Square on Google Maps.