Rothwell Urban District Offices

The Rothwell Urban District Offices (also known as the 'Rothwell One Stop Centre' or the 'Rothwell Area Office') were the site of the Rothwell Urban District Council and Leeds City Council offices. The building became surplus in June 2016 when the One Stop Centre merged with Rothwell Library to form the Rothwell Community Hub.

=History=

Prior to Building
Before the civic buildings were constructed, there was a a timber or half-timber building on the site, known as "Fleece Beer House", which was owned by Mr Hindle, and was occupied by Thomas Clift. Clift had a shed behind the building for his barrel making business. Before its demolition, at the end of the 19th Century, William Wildbood (who had been a butcher at Oulton and was owner of the a pottery in Woodlesford) owned and occupied "Fleece Beer House". He was likely the last occupant.

19th Century
The Local Government Act 1894 created Rothwell Urban District Council with fifteen district councillors for the five wards of: North, South, Thorpe, Stourton and Carlton; thus, a building was needed where services could be provided and councillors could meet. The building, built of stone with a "leaded gothic revival clock tower", was compromised of "a council chamber, committee rooms, office and a caretaker's residence with store rooms at the rear", were designed by architects T H & W E Richardson of Rothwell and Leeds. In 1895, John Chapman began the construction of the offices, which cost, including the site, £2600, which would have been £363,758.14 in 2021.

On the 8th June 1895, a ceremony took place to commemorate the undertaking, in which the Council and a large number of guests met at the building as John Hargreaves, chair of the Building Committee, laid a memorial tablet. The ceremony included banners around Rothwell, a perfromance by Rothwell Old Brass Band and a prayer by the vicar of Rothwell, Rev W B Pearson and concluded with a prayer by Wesleyan vicar Rev Edward Workman. Afterwards, a lunch was held at the Mechanics Institute.

20th Century
On the 27th March 1940, an extension to the offices was officially opened by Major Bernard Armitage, Chairman of the Council. The extension added a member's cloakroom and was designed by architect Norval R Paxton.

In 1974, the offices were renamed 'Rothwell Area Office' when Rothwell become a part of Leeds City Council.

21st Century
In the early 21st Century, the offices were used as a One Stop Centre for Leeds City Council, where social services and Leeds Housing team were based. Disability access to the building was also improved. However, Leeds City Council merged these services with Rothwell Library in 2016 to form the Rothwell Community Hub.

In 2018, the Friends of Rothwell Civic Enterprise (FORCE) was formed with the aim to "prevent the sale of the old council offices" and "save the building and its history for the use of Rothwell folk."

Leeds City Council wishes to sell the building in 2022/23. =See Also= =References= =Your Memories=
 * Photos of the offices from Leodis
 * Photos of the offices from Geograph
 * FORCE Facebook page