JOHN RYLANDS

 It was constructed of Portland stone, by suppliers of F. M. and H. Nuttall, Limited (Manchester)[6] and consisted of a steel frame[7] provided by The Crittall Manufacturing Company Limited[8]. It is important to note that the builders used “Vitocrete” cement, which allowed the work to be done on time by its super – hardening substance. Also, Roberts & Co., Ltd. Manchester suppliers provided “Seigniorite” – plastering cement, which allowed using it in colder weather conditions. The entire building had present - time modern technology, for example an automatic telephone system was accessible all round the building and was fixed in by William Anderton & Co., Ltd. Further, the building had invisible heating as well as ventilators. The building also had a lift system – “four micro operated gods lifts”[9].

As stated in the Phoenix Assurance Company, Ltd. report, the building had ferro – concrete floors and was described as a “newly erected modern Warehouse of fireproof construction”[10].

Sub – basement - was a packing room, containing two hydraulic presses[11].

Warehouse operations:

• Basement - packing room.

• Ground floor – receiving offices and parcels room. The vestibule and loading bank was also situated on the ground floor.

• First floor – on this floor, the bleached goods were placed together with blankets, flannels and other offices.

• Second Floor – hats, boots as well as directors rooms.

• Third floor – this floor had a wide range of silk, prints and dresses.

• Fourth floor – fancy goods, jewellery, bags and mens underwear.

• Fifth floor – variety of shirts and scarfs.

• Sixth – swallwares.

• Seventh – Dinning/ tea room. Canteen for directors.