Charrington House in 2026
Charrington(s) House
Whilst looking rather unloved in its present abandoned state as it awaits likely demolition as part of the Old River Lane regeneration scheme, Charrington House was the height of modernity when completed in 1973. To quote from an exhibition guide celebrating Architecture in Hertfordshire 1929-1979, it “presents a visual challenge with its sleek, bronze-tinted curtain walling and boldly sculptural bricks”. The building was notable for its smooth glazing system and being only the second in the country to use a neoprene gasketed curtain walling system. This contrasts with the curved staircase towers of red brick. This, and the small buttress wall around the base of the building are a nod to Waytemore Castle across the road. It also marked the transition from the use of imperial to metric units.
Charrington House in the 1970’s
The architects were Tooley & Foster Partnership (T F P Architects) in association with Abbott Howard. They have been associated with several other projects in the area, including the Church Street Surgery in 1974, several projects at the College in the 1930’s including the Doggart Pavillion in a Modern style, and more recently, the Saffron Hall. The name of the building came from the occupier, Charrington, Gardner Locket & Co (the Charringtons Group of Companies), a fuel and transport company founded in 1719 which had been incentivised to leave their offices near the Tower of London and relocate to Bishop’s Stortford. They remained in occupation until they relocated to Buckinghamshire in 1999. The building was referred to as both Charrington and Charringtons House. Surprisingly for as early as 1973, the new offices included provision for a computer department with over 100 staff.
Architects’ Model of the new development
Until 2023, there was a second parallel but shorter building of the same design fronting onto Old River Lane. This was built for Bishops Stortford Urban District Council which then became absorbed into East Herts Council following local government re-organisation in the early 1970’s. The maltings building on the other side of Old River Lane (now Coopers) would reflect in the glazed walls. Prior to demolition, it was briefly used as a police training ground for anti-terrorist and hostage rescue operations. The tree and the bench in the photograph below are all that now survive!
