FROM THE VIDEO ARCHIVE: UNSEEN SALFORD HISTORY - PART 3

But before we leave the cellars, it is worth mentioning the downstairs Gents, eight porcelain urinals in all, made by the Salford company of Giddings and Dacre. 

These would have been used by the staff at the Town Hall but certainly not the prisoners in the cells, no such luxuries for them! 

As we ascend upstairs to the ground floor we pass along tiled corridors, mosaic tiled floors and a huge tiled stairwell with awesome emerald green tiles in an ornate Art Nouveau style. 

We believe these tiles may have been made by the local pottery company of Pilkington's, again we are fascinated to know what will happen to them when the building finally shuts down on 21st December 2011. 

Did you know that this building has an upstairs ballroom? Neither did we. 

It is more of a function room with a bar, however there is a small dancefloor for wandering magistrates.... 

Coronation Street have filmed part-episodes in the upstairs space, and the room has been used by several film companies including the BBC and Red Productions, who made a retrospective look at the early career of Morcambe and Wise. 

However, the highlight of this tour is the three incredible stained glass windows on the first floor which depict the history of our beloved city and are truly magnificent to behold. 

The detail and craftsmanship is breathtaking and it would be a criminal act if these stained glass windows were to be destroyed or moved when the courts leave Salford.

You can find the other articles in this series on the links bellow.

This article first appeared on SalfordOnline in November 2011 and is reproduced here with the full blessings of renowned recorder of historical stuff, Tony Flynn.