Works have now begun on The Boots store in St Annes , Lancashire , an early 20th century cast iron framed terracotta structure , designed by renowned Boots architect Albert Nelson Bromley
Cast‑iron‑framed terracotta buildings represent a key moment in early 20th‑century commercial architecture, combining industrial innovation with highly decorative façades. By 1906, retailers like Boots were embracing cast iron for its fire resistance, slim structural profile and ability to support large shopfronts, while cladding the frame in glazed terracotta to create bold, hygienic, weather‑resistant façades. The result was a modern, modular system that allowed intricate detailing without the weight or cost of carved stone — a perfect fit for a national brand wanting consistency and visual impact across the high street.
Our work on the 1906 Boots building in St Annes highlights both the ingenuity and the challenges of this construction method. Behind the terracotta skin sits a cast‑iron skeleton whose fixings, joints and moisture pathways need careful investigation more than a century later. Corroded iron, displaced units, failed pointing and inappropriate past repairs are common issues, and our conservation‑led approach focuses on minimal intervention, sensitive repair, and the retention of original fabric wherever possible. These buildings are not just attractive façades — they are an important chapter in the evolution of British retail architecture, and they deserve specialist care to ensure they continue to define our town centres for generations
