IMPROVING THE SEA FRONT. PENZANCE CORPORATION PURCHASE BATTEN AND COUCH'S PROPERTY.
For many years past it has been the aim of Penzance Town Council to improve the eastern end the Promenade, and the approach to quay from the Promenade, and particularly that narrow and dangerous bottle neck portion at Coinage-hall street.
The Battery-square scheme was really a portion of this suggested improvement, which the late Ald. A. K. Barnett, during his period of Mayoralty, strove hard to achieve. His idea was that there should be a driving road from the Promenade right along the sea front to the Quay, the road to have been continued from Sandy Bank outside the premises of Messrs. Batten and Couch. It was felt, however, that this would be costly scheme, beyond the resources of the borough, and probably, in any case, the cost would have outweighed the resultant advantages. However, all things come to those who wait," says the proverb, and the disposal by auction of the extensive block of property facing the sea at this particular spot owned by Messrs. Batten and Couch was considered by many, among them the majority of the Town Council, as offering unique opportunity of making the desired improvement. The matter was considered in committee by the Council at its last meeting, and the proceedings at the Central Hall, on 21st November 1918 proved that a decision to purchase was arrived at.
Mr. Edward Mitchell was the auctioneer, and remarked at the outset he proposed offering the property as a whole. The first bid came from the Mayor of £3,000 and, after a pause, the auctioneer announced the reserve £3,195. The thereupon offered £3,200. This was bettered by Mr. John Taylor by £3250. The Mayor offered £3,300 Mr. Taylor, £3.400; the Mayor £3500, Mr. Taylor, £3,600; the Mayor. £3,700, Mr. Taylor, £3,750: and the Mayor, £3,800, at which figure it was knocked down. Ald. Poole having purchased behalf the Corporation. In today's money (2016 that's a staggering £235,465.83)
For many years past it has been the aim of Penzance Town Council to improve the eastern end the Promenade, and the approach to quay from the Promenade, and particularly that narrow and dangerous bottle neck portion at Coinage-hall street.
The Battery-square scheme was really a portion of this suggested improvement, which the late Ald. A. K. Barnett, during his period of Mayoralty, strove hard to achieve. His idea was that there should be a driving road from the Promenade right along the sea front to the Quay, the road to have been continued from Sandy Bank outside the premises of Messrs. Batten and Couch. It was felt, however, that this would be costly scheme, beyond the resources of the borough, and probably, in any case, the cost would have outweighed the resultant advantages. However, all things come to those who wait," says the proverb, and the disposal by auction of the extensive block of property facing the sea at this particular spot owned by Messrs. Batten and Couch was considered by many, among them the majority of the Town Council, as offering unique opportunity of making the desired improvement. The matter was considered in committee by the Council at its last meeting, and the proceedings at the Central Hall, on 21st November 1918 proved that a decision to purchase was arrived at.
Mr. Edward Mitchell was the auctioneer, and remarked at the outset he proposed offering the property as a whole. The first bid came from the Mayor of £3,000 and, after a pause, the auctioneer announced the reserve £3,195. The thereupon offered £3,200. This was bettered by Mr. John Taylor by £3250. The Mayor offered £3,300 Mr. Taylor, £3.400; the Mayor £3500, Mr. Taylor, £3,600; the Mayor. £3,700, Mr. Taylor, £3,750: and the Mayor, £3,800, at which figure it was knocked down. Ald. Poole having purchased behalf the Corporation. In today's money (2016 that's a staggering £235,465.83)
