That is why you would probably not give a second glance to the terrace of properties that sits towards the south eastern outskirts of the North Yorkshire town of Thirsk.
It is a quite ordinary and rather functional looking block of, now, 4 properties, comprising at the northern end a conversion to flats adjoining a former Bed and Breakfast Guest House and the remainder being two private houses.
The frontage is flush to the pavement of what is a busy road to and from the traditional market town from the south where there is a junction with the A19 which runs from the Great North Road into industrial Teeside on the north eastern coast of England.
One clue to something unusual about the block is the existence of recessed lightwells in the pavement indicating a basement level of accommodation.
In full frontal mode the building in its entirety gives a sense of something substantial but when viewed end -on what strikes you is the very thin depth, only one room or about 15 feet in imperial measurement per floor and,including the basement, there are four floors.
The local brick is a warm, multicoloured clay and arranged in English garden wall bond with tying in courses every fifth course.There are no embellishments which again suggests funtion rather than form. Unfortunately,what will have been a slate roof originally was replaced about 20 years ago in a plain concrete tile and all of the windows are UPVC framed. This is not a matter of flagrant breach of planning and conservation policies but simply because the building is not particularly notable in architectural terms and no restrictions apply, within reason.
However, as a piece of social history the building should be Listed and protected as on the rear wall can just be made out a long band of faded signage bearing the words "Model Lodging House".
By the late 1840s the government was becoming increasingly aware of the threat posed to public health by the lack of cheap accommodation for labouring single men and unaccompanied women, for itinerants such as hawkers, chair-menders, knifegrinders, street musicians, and many other trades. and for those "on the tramp" - i.e. walking the roads in search of work.
These were not paupers or vagabonds (because they eked out some sort of income albeit a pittance) so were not eligible for accommodation in the workhouses.
In towns and cities they were often lodged in overcrowded and insanitary doss-houses set up by and profiteered from by unscrupulous private land lords.
Public health concern arising from the cholera and typhoid epidemics of the time led to legislation setting up minimum standards for such establishments, to be classed as "Common Lodging Houses" and to be subject to formal inspection.
Many purpose built properties were financed as a business with shareholders who were eligble for a modest return on their investment. This led to the rather mercenary description of those putting their money into schemes as "Five percent Philanthropists".
These were still very spartan lodgings even in those days, but the fees charged were affordable to the working poor.
These facilities were soon extended by establishments offering slightly better accommodation which were the "Model Lodging Houses" - still cheap, but aiming to cater for the next stratum of the itinerant or casually employed population.
A contemporary report from 1857 stated the following;
The Act for the well ordering of the Common Lodging houses has been in operation since 1851and has had some beneficial results in alleviating the evils of overcrowding, filth, water, poor ventilation, disease, misery and crime. Registration of the premises which has been enforced under the Act has made property increase in value, but the cost of lodging in the improved houses has not increased accordingly. Charges for the lodgings vary from 2d to 6d per night, with no charge for the Sunday if the lodger has been there all week. The amount of labour necessary for enforce regulations has been considerable, including the collection of statistics on which this report is based. Model lodging houses now number 104. These premises have higher charges than ordinary lodging houses. The regulations under the Act have significantly removed nuisances, and removed the sick to a hospital or parish infirmary. Houses or rooms given over to families are exempt from the provisions of the Act. The author wishes to see an extension of the Act to cover outstanding problems, i.e. tenants of single rooms may be prevented from taking lodgers, and the licensing of single rooms, notice given of contagious disease. The author would also like to see an extension of the law to provide a supply of water, and the prevention of licensed victuallers from using their houses as lodging houses, as there are problems with the supply of liquors at illegal hours.
The property in Thirsk dates from around 1850 and it's location is significant being on the outskirts of the town at the cross-roads where the main north-south road between the Tees and York crossed at that time the east-west route between the coast and the industrial West Riding. The majority of wayfarers would have passed this way. Significant, also, is the fact that on the opposite side of the crossroads stood the Union Workhouse, with its casual ward for vagrants.
Every property has its own story. It is just that the best examples, those of fancier facades and with grander features receive all of the attention, accolades and protection against what can be the relentless progress of urban change and redevelopment.
Source; Thirsk Museum Records
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