NHER 63560 (Building record) - Corn Exchange, Tuesday Market Place

Corn Exchange. Previously recorded under NHER 12919.

December 1951. Listed, Grade II.

November 1977. Field Observation.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU).
1854. Giant attached Ionic columns, large central attic with statue of Ceres.
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 2 November 1977. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 July 2023.

November 1994. Field Observation.
See correspondence (S2) in file which indicates that the rear extension known as the Fire Engine House is in fact the remains of the former Market House of 1830, retaining booths inside.
See NHER 63559 for further information.
E. Rose (NLA), amended A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 10 February 2020.

February 1995. Field Observation.
Visited by S. Heywood (NCC).
No further details.
See (S3).
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 10 February 2020.

July 1995.
Older rear part of building demolished.

Press cuttings and photographs in file.

Listing (S4) adds: By Cruso and Maberley. Brick internal pilasters support cast iron polygonal columns supporting arches spanning the roof.
E. Rose (NLA), 11 March 1999.

The Old Customs House formerly covered this site as well as the adjacent NHER 12918. See NHER 12918 for details.
E. Rose (NLA), 1 December 2003.

November 2013. Regeneration project application.
King's Lynn Tuesday market place regeneration project.
See (S5 for details.
Alex Miller-Fik (HES) 13th June 2013.

According to (S6) consideration was first given to erecting a Corn Exchange in King's Lynn in 1851, but nothing happened as a result of this meeting of merchants and farmers. In 1853 the Council discussed this again, but the suggestion to appropriate part of the Market House (NHER 63559) was vehemently opposed. In September 1853 it was finally agreed to request 'a fresh set' of plans for a distinct building from Messrs. Cruso and Maberley which were approved, and Mr P Edmund's tender to build the structure accepted. The new building measured 170 feet (52m) by 51 feet (15.5m) with a stone front divided into three compartments. When Hillen was writing in 1907 (S6) he described the Corn Exchange extending backwards to the disused meat and poultry market. This suggests that when the Corn Exchange was first constructed, it was separate from the earlier Market House, and that the incorporation of booths as described above (S2) was a later development. The roof of the Corn Exchange was reconstructed and glazed in 1877 using a new method of glazing which did not require cement or putty. The glass roof (measuring 170 feet (52m) by 28 feet (8.5m) on each side) rested on iron trusses supported by slender pillars.
See (S6) for further information.
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 10 February 2020.

Listing Description excerpt:
Corn Exchange, now general civic hall. 1854. By Cruso and Maberley. Brick with ashlar facade and glass roof. Baroque. Two storey front divided into three bays by giant Ionic columns standing in front of Ionic pilasters in such a way that the volutes of the capitals collide awkwardly. Three doorways with moulded surrounds, the centre with consoles supporting a block entablature, simpler hoods to the right and left. Abovecentral door is a cartouche emblazoned with the Arms of King's Lynn surmounted by a pelican, in panels to flanking bays are sheafs of corn. Heavy entablature cornice below balustraded parapet. Central panel rises out of parapet with its ownentablature. Within it is carved: CORN EXCHANGE ERECTED 1854. On top is a statue of, presumably, Ceres.
INTERIOR. Plastered and colourwashed. Brick pilasters rise to wall plate level, against which, on north and south sides, are cast-iron polygonal columns with arches spanning the roof. In their spandrels are scrolls. Various 20th-century additions.
Information from (S4).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S4) for the current listing details.
P. Watkins (HES), 20 July 2023.