Long gone, Morecambe Tower was a cone-shaped construct that was part of the larger Tower Pavilion theatre complex on the seafront, aiming to rival the tourist attraction of Blackpool Tower, but its building was hampered by funding issues, eventually victim to world war…
Morecambe Tower Company Limited was incorporated in October 1898 by a group of north west businessmen, most from the entertainment industry, and had plans were for a tower 232 feet high, just over half the height of the one in Blackpool, completed just four years previously. Tom Bradley, the project’s manager, patented his idea for a cone-shaped tower, ascended by a spiral tramway.
In November the same year, a prospectus outlining plans was issued, and the public were asked to “subscribe the requisite capital” in order to enable the project to be carried out.
The designers of this extraordinary complex were Keighley-based William Hampden and William Arthur Sugden, and it promised to be their biggest and most prestigious project. (During their careers, the two brothers were also responsible for the design of several prominent buildings in their home town, including manufacturer Ira Ickringill’s Laurel Mount, Sir Swire Smith’s Steeton Manor, St Barnabas’ Church at Thwaites Brow and Technical Institute extensions, and Keighley Hall at Poix-du-Nord, in Northern France).
The Tower would have a spiral road around the outside, rather like a huge fairground helter skelter. Ascent was to be made by a tramway up the spiral road, or alternatively by hydraulic lifts.
Three levels above the ground floor were planned, to accommodate a dance hall, cinema and restaurant at the top. At ground level, there would be an Arabesque-style building, complete with minarets that would surround the base of the tower and include shops and a grand pavilion big enough to accommodate 5000 people.
The north west press seemed supportive of the project, as outlined in this item from the Wigan Examiner, presumably syndicated, as was the mentioned advertisment, dated Friday 18 November 1898:
THE MORECAMBE TOWER
“As will be noticed on perusal of our advertising columns, the prospectus of the Morecambe Tower Company has issued, and the public are asked to subscribe the requisite capital in order to enable the project to be carried out. The site of the proposed Tower, which is one of the finest in Morecambe, has been acquired on exceptionally favourable terms, and is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is to be used. The figure at which it stands in the prospectus, attested by separate valuers, looks exceedingly moderate, and there can be no doubt that land in such a situation will very soon command a greatly enhanced price. The structure to be erected, too, is of such a unique character that it is sure to prove an immense attraction to visitors, and consequently of much advantage to tradesmen and lodginghouse-keepers.
“The impetus which the construction of the West End Pier gave to business at the end of the town will be well within the recollection of our readers; indeed, so enthusiastic were the West End people about the matter that local canvassing committees were formed, and no less a sum than £7,000 was soon raised. What the West End pier did for the West End, the Malcolm Tower is well calculated to do for the East End, with this difference, that it starts its career under vastly more favourable conditions. One of the finest promenades in the country has just been completed, tram lines have been constructed past its doors, a marine lake is projected right in front of it, and the whole district round about is set out for houses of a residential character, and perhaps what is more important than all these, Morecambe is now known all over all over the country as a go-ahead and thriving watering place.
“Taking the costs of the site of the Blackpool Tower as compared with the present undertaking, and the respective capitals of the two companies, the prospects of the Morecambe Tower appear in the most favourable light, because the satisfactory results attained at Blackpool – notwithstanding the heavy capital – proves conclusively that towers are popular, and consequently paying concerns. The success of the undertaking is one that vitally affects the deepest interests of the residents and the owners at the East end, and they will do well to lend it all the aid they can in its initial stages, and if they do that, we have no hesitation, from what we know, in saying that they will reap the benefit four-fold later on.
The Era, a national newspaper, also trumpeted the project in an article in its 4th February 1899 edition, declaring it an “unmissable” attraction for day-trippers, with a 155 foot diameter at its base, tapering to a platform 52 feet in diameter at its spire. The weight of potential visitor numbers and wind stress had been calculated into its design, and its backers clearly saw it as worthy competition to its Blackpool rival, its appeal not only the potential views, but performances in the Tower Pavilion, too, which was designed to accommodate crowds of 5000 for larger events.
The company initial share capital was noted as £70,000 – just over £2.7 million today. By June 1901, some £90,000 had been invested in its construction, support buoyed by fast-increasing visitor numbers to the resort.
Sadly, the project was much troubled in its building, weak foundations a factor, and was only ever partially completed. It seems apparent costs mounted, quickly hitting company finances. It also faced problems from neighbours: in July 1899, Joseph Fawcett, the owner of 4, Highfield Terrace, and tenant Robert M. Frankland, sued the company on grounds that its immense concrete bed, constructed to support it, had caused his house to subside and crack.
(This was not the last time a new Morecambe attraction would instil ire in Highfield Terrace residents: before Frontierland’s Log Flume was opened in 1982, they raised issues about it and its planning permission).
Building work by C.E. Buildings, was in progress by May 1899, with other contractors also involved, but the Morecambe Tower Company failed to raise the required funds to complete it, and construction was stopped. Various northern newspapers reported a meeting took place on Saturday 20th July to wind up the company, despite the Tower’s “advanced construction”, and Leeds-based Charles Platt and Henry Waters were appointed as liquidators.
Although an attempt was made to sell the development, a report of the sale in the Manchester Courier 29th November 1902 noting the iron work for its completion already been acquired, this was unsuccessful. The Company was wound up in October 1904.
Morecambe Tower was bought by the Morecambe Tower and Estates Company in 1909, and they were able to complete some of the buildings, including the shops and pavilion. A ballroom was also added in 1911.
Eventually opened to the public in 1912, the Tower was dismantled during World War One, to provide steel for munitions. The remaining buildings were sold to Gaumont in 1928, then Rank in 1952, during which time it operated mainly as a cinema. The building was closed in 1959, and finally demolished in 1961.
William Hampden Sugden died in 1920, and William Arthur, who was also a talented watercolour artist and violinist, in 1927.
The ornate Tower Pavilion was built in 1909, later to becoming known as the Tower Theatre. It was closed in April 1949 for extensive alterations, reopening on 6th June 1949 as the Gaumont, with 1200 seats, but the venue faced troubled times in the late 1950s, closing as a cinema in 1958. It re-opened again in 1959 for the summer season only, this time as a live theatre, closing for good in late 1959.The building was sold by the Rank Organisation in October 1960 and was demolished in August 1961.
A ten pin bowling alley opened in the site in 1963, later divided, offering a cabaret space in the created area. This was closed by flooding in 1982. In 1985, it re-opened as a Granada Bingo Club, which became a Gala Bingo Club. Since Autumn 2018, it has operated as a Buzz Bingo Club, which holds a lease until 2039, the building itself currently up for sale for £1.7 million.
Sales Agent CBRE describe the Morecambe property, which stands in nearly two acres of land, as a “prime long leasehold investment” and “benefits from strong connectivity given its location”.
Web Links
• Keighley News: Keighley duo had towering ambitions in world of architecture
Both The Era, Manchester Courier and Wigan Examiner are archived on the British Newspaper Archive