Summary
Entrance building to the former Corn Exchange Arcade, built in 1854 by John Berry Clacy and F Hawkes.
History
Modest rural settlements likely existed in the area as far back as the first century. By the time of the Norman Conquest of 1066, Reading had become a town of notable size. After Reading Abbey was founded in 1121, the town grew substantially; spurred on by cloth production, the establishment of the new Market Place, and what would today be known as London Street, an extension to the High Street that facilitated trade to and from London. By 1525, the town’s thriving cloth industry led Reading to become the largest town in Berkshire. In 1542, Henry VIII’s royal charter made Reading a borough. Following significant upheaval during the Civil War, the town flourished during C18 and C19. Several developments during the late C18 and C19 encouraged further growth and prosperity, including the arrival of the Great Western Railway, improvements to the navigability of the River Kennet, and the growth of the local brewing industry.
The Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance was constructed in 1854 by the architects John Berry Clacy (1810-1880) and F Hawkes. The building functioned as the principal entrance to a glazed arcade that extended westward before separating into a T-junction that gave access to the Corn Exchange and covered market to the south, and a second arcade to the north. By 1931, the present arcade entrance was one of three points of access to the Corn Exchange and covered market. John Berry Clacy and F Hawkes were architects working locally in Berkshire, especially in Reading. Clacy was also a Reading Borough surveyor, and in 1853 he produced the Reading Board of Health map to survey the town’s sanitary provision. A gable roof extended westward from the Corn Exchange arcade entrance, but this was removed by 1967 when the entire market and arcade system was rebuilt and covered with a flat roof. This configuration remained until the late C20 when the arcade behind the arcade entrance was reopened and refronted with modern shopfronts. The arcade entrance is currently (2023) only used at the ground floor level as an entryway to the shopping arcade. There is a rear access point to the supermarket to the south, however, no retail units within the arcade are currently used.
Details
Entrance building to the former Corn Exchange Arcade, built in 1854 by John Berry Clacy and F Hawkes.
MATERIALS: the street-facing, east elevation is of ashlar Bath stone, possibly with Portland stone to the clocktower and belfry.
PLAN: the building is a single volume with a narrow rectangular plan, comprising the mid-C19 tower and a rear (west) C20 extension.
EXTERIOR: the Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance is an English Renaissance-style building containing a single bay across two floors. The ground floor largely comprises an undercroft that gives access to the rear arcade. It is flanked on either side of the east elevation by piers with alternating bands of smooth and relief-carved chamfered rustication, with swagged fruit capitals. A lintel over the arcade entrance carries the C21 raised lettering, ‘MARKET WAY’. A pierced balcony with a geometric stone balustrade separates the ground floor from the first floor. The first floor is an arched recess with coffered vaulted ceiling, and is flanked on either side by fluted Ionic pilasters that support heavy entablatures. At its apex is a keystone with the Prince of Wales crest. Recessed within the east elevation is a serliana-style tripartite window with entablature, over which is a large fanlight. The first floor supports an elaborate clock tower. The base of the clock tower is engraved with ‘CORN EXCHANGE’ in relief. The clock face has two gilt borders and is set into a square panel with foliate ornament and flanked on either side by scroll brackets. The clock element is topped by an octagonal campanile with bell and weathervane. The rear, west elevation of the Corn Exchange Arcade Entrance is hidden behind the mid-C20 fabric of 36-43 Market Place.
