Gmb National College

GMB NATIONAL COLLEGE, COLLEGE ROAD

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1197762
Date first listed:
03-Oct-1974
List Entry Name:
Gmb National College
Statutory Address:
GMB NATIONAL COLLEGE, COLLEGE ROAD
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Date:
2002-02-14
Reference:
IOE01/03169/05
Rights:
© Mr Mike Widdas. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1197762
Date first listed:
03-Oct-1974
Date of most recent amendment:
06-Jun-1994
List Entry Name:
Gmb National College
Statutory Address 1:
GMB NATIONAL COLLEGE, COLLEGE ROAD

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
GMB NATIONAL COLLEGE, COLLEGE ROAD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
Manchester (Metropolitan Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
SJ 82543 94730

Details

SJ 89 SW, 698-1/8/827

MANCHESTER,
COLLEGE ROAD,
Whalley Range (South side),
GMB National College

(Formerly Listed as: COLLEGE ROAD, Whalley Range (South side) Lancashire Independent College)

03/10/74

GV

II*

College for training of Non-Conformist ministers, Trade
Union college when surveyed. 1840-43, by Irwin and Chester, wings re-built
to 3 storeys and hall added in late 1870s; altered. Sandstone
ashlar (brick at rear), slate roofs. Elongated E-plan, the
main range facing north, with rear wings, that in the centre
containing the former chapel or hall. Gothick style. Two
storeys raised over a full basement storey, plus central
tower, 1:9:3:9:1 windows, symmetrical, the centre and ends
breaking forwards. The central entrance block, forming an
eye-catching feature, has set-back buttresses (finished as
pinnacles), steps up to a moulded Tudor-arched doorway under a
shield with angel supporters, a full-height oriel above with
transomed windows of 3 and 2 stages separated by panelling
with a clock-face, a pierced parapet and crocketed corner
pinnacles, and an octagonal 2-stage lantern with open
arcading, gargoyles and pinnacles. The 9-bay side ranges have
Tudor-arched arcades to a cloister which runs through the
whole and has 2-light mullioned windows to the basement, a
string-course over this, large 6-light mullion-and-transom
windows to the principal floor with a drip-band stepped over
them, 2-light mullioned windows to the top floor, and an
embattled parapet. The wings have oriel windows and
crow-stepped gables with crocketed corner pinnacles. All
windows have geometrical leaded glazing. The rear and rear
wings, of brick, have similar transomed windows, those in the
hall Tudor-arched and with cusped lights. Interior: galleried
entrance hall; good Gothick decoration to most rooms on the
principal floor (including Tudor-arched doors, moulded plaster
ceilings, fireplaces, etc.

History: built to provide higher education for Nonconformists
(excluded from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge until 1871), ante-dating Owens College
(1851) with which it jointly established the Victoria
University of Manchester in 1880.


Listing NGR: SJ8254394730

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
388025
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Gmb National College

Map

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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