Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/259

 On an application being made to parliament for powers to carry out the design, strenuous opposition was offered by the representatives of the Preston and Wyre Railway, who pledged themselves to erect additional stations along their track to accommodate the people residing at Rossall, Cleveleys, and Bispham, in consequence of which the bill for a coast-line was thrown out and the project abandoned.

On the 4th of December, 1863, the Lancaster Banking Company established a branch here; and on the 15th of that month the Whitworth Institute in Dock Street was publicly opened. This handsome Hall was erected through the munificence of Benjamin Whitworth, esq., M.P., of London, who for long resided at Fleetwood, and during that period, and afterwards, was instrumental in giving a marked stimulus to the foreign trade of the port by shipping each year, on behalf of the large firm of which he is the head at Manchester, numerous cargoes of cotton from America viâ Fleetwood. The building is in the Gothic style of architecture. The walls are built of bricks with stone dressings, the principal features being the ten arcaded windows, with the stone balcony beneath running across the entire width of the front, and the elegant entrance. The interior comprises a spacious reading room and library, a smoking and coffee room, provided with chess and draughts, an assembly room, capable of containing 400 persons, and two billiard rooms. At the time of its presentation to the inhabitants the donor generously provided tea urns and other appliances necessary for holding soirees, in addition to having liberally furnished the whole of the building, including the gift of a choice and extensive selection of books, chess and draught-men, a bagatelle-board, and a billiard-table. The second billiard-table was added out of the surplus funds in 1875. The Institute is vested in trustees for the use of the town, and governed by a committee chosen from amongst the subscribers.

During 1864-5 building continued to progress, but not with that great rapidity which had characterised its advance in 1862 and the earlier months of the following year. An act of parliament was granted in 1864 to certain gentlemen for the formation of a dock in connection with the harbour, confirming the rumour which had now agitated the place for the last two years, and bringing conviction to the hearts of many of the older