Nottingham Civic Society - Poor Fothergill

Besides the uncertainty surrounding the future
use of the former Nottingham and Notts/Natwest
bank on Thurland Street several other Fothergill buildings have seen a change of use or appearance recently.

Right alongside the bank on Thurland Street a rather plain early Fothergill of 1876, offices for the solicitors Wing and Welby is currently a chip shop. The Fothergill Watson bar on Castle Road, altered some time back to have a façade of folding doors, has had these doors removed and a mainly plate glass frontage inserted. The provision merchants Furley's shop of 1896 at the corner of Clinton Street West and Lower Parliament Street is now the home of the TSB, relocated from Trinity Square. Briefly the name Furley was revealed during refurbishment, but it was soon covered up with a fascia board in the TSB colours. When the new owners, Harlow, estate agents were altering the first floor windows in 1925, an ageing Fothergill charged into the building protesting they were ruining his work. How would he react now!. The Rose of England public house on Mansfield Road was had several changes of name, whilst a fmely carved rose still remains over the entrance. The Filly and Firkin is the latest.

Going back in time it must have been rather galling for Fothergill not to be invited to design the new Albert Hall in 1907, the work went to A E Lambert. The loss of Fothergill's work after the Second World War I will tactfully pass over - for the moment.

More information about Watson Fothergill can be found in the booklet published by the Society.

September 2001