Kemp’s Corner development gives nod to town’s rich history

A former HSBC bank building in Chorlton-cum-Hardy is to be transformed into a retail and residential scheme.

The ‘four banks’ junction will be renamed Kemp’s Corner.

An extension to the Wilbraham Road/Barlow Moor Road corner site proposed by Chorlton-based JH Architects, it will respect the past use of the building by naming it after Harry Kemp’s Chemists which opened in 1901.

The premises was still used as a pharmacy up until the 1960s. It gave rise to the popular use of the name ‘Kemp’s Corner’ as the local landmark for the junction.

The building then became the Midland bank branch and finally an HSBC bank before it closed in September 2021.

The crossroads is still known as ‘four banks’ after the four bank occupiers of the cornerstone buildings of the junction. The official council designation is Chorlton Cross.

The JH Architects plans, currently with Manchester City Council, seek to add four further residential flats to the two existing flats above, and two existing commercial units on the ground floor.

As part of the design, period features will be reintroduced as a nod to the building’s Victorian past, such as restoring and exposing the original brickwork, and adding upper floor bay windows where they were previously removed during the building’s modern transition into the former bank.

The proposal will also expand on the building’s existing footprint with a new modern addition, which is designed using a contrasting brick palette and glazed linkage to maintain distinction with the host building.

Original site

Paul Harrison, of JH Architects, said: “The aspiration for the two ground floor units is for quality neighbourhood retail, which we know residents would like to see more of.

“We are not seeking a licensed premises as there are plenty of bars and takeaways in the area.

“We want the retail to add to the already diverse and eclectic high street that Chorlton is known for.”

He added: “The design is of a quality suited to this prominent location which fits the future improvements in Chorlton.

“Sustainability is at the core of the design, and we aim to show that period buildings can be transformed to meet modern energy and living requirements.”

The Rag Gallery was in the ground floor space on a temporary basis before it found new permanent premises.