V.A. Marriott Ltd
(photos
courtesy Dave
Riseborough)
"... the Marriott Builder's building in Handford Road, which I think is
particularly beautiful. Here is a quote from their website: "Valentine
Arthur Marriott, a bricklayer by trade, founded the company in 1895.
The business developed with projects of all types and size being
undertaken and in 1920 the company was incorporated as V A Marriott
Limited and moved to our still current address in Handford Road,
Ipswich.". So I think the letters could go back to the 1920s, but they
could have brought them from their previous address as they look
Victorian and cast iron to me."
'V
A. MARRIOTT. LTD
BUILDERS
CONTRACTORS'
Once again
we find stray full stops after the 'A' and
the word 'Marriott' (but not after the 'V', which would have made more
sense). Dave points out that this second full stop is actually painted
onto the white-painted brick surround; so the cast iron full stop has
probably been lost. This also explains th absence of a full stop after
the 'V'.
Also, shouldn't it be 'Building Contractors'? or are we being
pedantic? Lovely font with little flicks on the serifs and elsewhere
(for example, a third of the way up the 'O'). Nice tight paint job on
these raised cast iron characters,
mind - even if the word 'Contractors' is a bit too close to the
fenestration for comfort.
Another glance at the company website reveals some interesting facts.
'The history of the company shows a catalogue of quality buildings many
of which are still in good use, such as the Cobbold family public
houses, the Safe Harbour and the Suffolk Punch, shops and offices
around The Walk, Cranfield Court and the Footman Pretty (now Debenhams)
department store in Lloyds Avenue. We have been developing schools,
public buildings, commercial sites as well as building residential
housing from our own sites....
One of the best examples of traditional construction and our ongoing
involvement has been at St. Helens Primary School in Ipswich A few
years ago we won the contract to build an extension to form a new hall
and classrooms. During this work someone remembered seeing an old cost
book from long ago with St Helens costs itemised. Only 3 old
handwritten ledgers survive from pre World War Two but one of these has
details of every pound, shilling and penny spent when VA Marriott built
the school during 1913 and 1914.
The total cost was £10,971 18s 6d
In 2005 we again secured a contract to extend the front of the school.
An idea of inflation during the 20th century is given by comparing this
cost of the whole school in 1914 with the later infilling extensions
which came to nearly £1,000,000.
Extended Warranty? So durable were the large sash windows we made in
1914 that we took them out of the old front elevation and fitted them
in the new front. When we removed them they were as good as the day
they had been fitted two world wars ago.'
Sadly, we read on the Contract
Journal website (17
September, 2009):
'As many as 55 jobs could be lost at Suffolk-based contractor V A
Marriott, which has started the process of entering a company voluntary
arragement (CVA).
The 114-year-old firm is to complete all current projects but will wind
down its operations over the coming months, with all work likely to
stop by early 2010, according to the East
Anglian Daily Times.
Creditors are expected to receive full payment once the assets of the
business have been realised.
In a statement yesterday, Marriott said: “The company has
taken
the decision because of recent trading results and an inability to
obtain finance from its bank. A return to profitable trading is not
foreseen during this recession.
“The directors want to reassure customers that current
building
projects will be completed to the firm's usual high standards and
intend to meet all post completion obligations.”
Managing director Roland Marriott added: “The
directors of
V A Marriott are very proud of the long tradition of quality
workmanship associated with the firm.
“We have taken this action so we can meet all our outstanding
obligations and keep the company's reputation intact.” '
[UPDATE November 2011: It looks
as if thewhole site is being cleared incliding this lettering.]
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Historic Lettering site: Borin Van Loon
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