The firm was established in Doncaster by a man called John Thompson in 1740. He took on a relative, Thomas Anelay as a business partner in 1747. Anelay took sole charge in 1777. During the 18th and 19th centuries Anelay’s built up a reputation as a reliable company. They built many interesting and important buildings during this time. Just a few examples are: Rossington Hall, Doncaster Cemetery Chapels, Lodge and Gate, St Jude’s Church at Hexthorpe, the Market Hall, a house in Regent Square, the Infirmary and many more in Doncaster and beyond. They also carried out repairs and alterations including superb internal work at St Wilfrid’s Church at Cantley. In 1897 they were selected to build the York City and County Bank, now the HSBC, at the corner of Baxter Gate and High Street which brought them into contact with the York architect, Walter Brierley. The meeting was to change the destiny of the firm for ever. Brierley said they would do well in York and following his advice they moved to the city. Brierley was right – their move was successful with the firm constructing many important buildings including Goddards, for the owner of Terry’s chocolates. The house is now owned by the National Trust. Anelay’s kept their office in Silver Street open until 1918, and their yard at Dockin Hill until 1939, after which they were based solely in York. The years after the Second World War saw a shift in direction towards high quality renovation and restoration work rather than new buildings. The firm only returned to Doncaster for contracts to do repairs, including Cusworth Hall from 1970 to 1974, Hyde Park Cemetery, which they had built originally and of course the Mansion House where they had built the attic storey in 1801. John Thompson had also been a bricklayer there during the original construction. The closure of William Anelay Ltd is a major loss to all those who cherish our heritage. In September 2016 the Chairman, Charles Anelay said “All I can hope is that at some point in the future people will look back at William Anelay Ltd and recognise 260 years of skilled craftsmanship which gave us the privilege to restore parts of our country’s architectural heritage with some amazing projects on some very special buildings which will be admired far into the future”. The Trust hopes that the skilled workers all find suitable employment elsewhere.
« Back to Glossary Index