County Hall, Preston


County Hall is a municipal building in Fishergate, Preston, Lancashire, England.

History

The building, which was built in the Queen Anne revival style, opened in September 1882. It was initially used as offices to support the local judicial authorities and also accommodated the headquarters of the Lancashire Constabulary but, following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1888, which established county councils in every county, it also became the offices and meeting place for Lancashire County Council. The County Archive service, based at County Hall, contains records dating back to the formation of the County Council in the 19th century. The western section of the building, located on Bow Lane, was completed in the early 20th century. In 2011, as part of a cost-cutting initiative, several hundred staff were relocated to the County Hall from other locations.

War memorial

Inside the building is a memorial, unveiled in 1921, to eighteen "members of the county offices staff who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War", including one woman, Isobel Addey Tate.