Grade II Listed Groundfloor Shop, Shop front, and Internal Fittings.
Waddington is a menswear store in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. In the 1950s, following extension into the neighbouring premises, the shop underwent substantial internal and external refurbishment, which included a modernised exterior and an interior designed by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. Thompson is internationally renowned for the high quality of his craftsmanship and his use of traditional tools and techniques, rooted in Arts and Crafts principles. His work contributes to the interest of several listed buildings, demonstrating the listable quality of his work. This includes the recently Grade II-listed Tudor Croft with an inglenook fireplace. The interior at Waddington is particularly notable as an unusual application of Thompson’s craftsmanship to a commercial setting. His interior commissions are more commonly associated with ecclesiastical, domestic and civic buildings, with individual examples of Mouseman furniture in homes and collections. In contrast, the extensive, purpose-designed scheme for Waddington demonstrates how Thompson’s distinctive approach to craftsmanship was applied to a retail interior. The scheme is also understood to have been among the last projects designed during Thompson’s lifetime, prior to his death in 1955. The interior is of particularly high quality and survives remarkably well. The scheme incorporates extensive timberwork displaying characteristic features of Thompson’s work, including the visible adzed finish, half penny mouldings and signature carved mouse motifs. The quality of the scheme extends beyond the timberwork to its wrought-iron fittings, bench upholstery and carefully considered details, including light fittings and a fireplace surround engraved with a quote from John Ruskin flanked by sconces. The scale and unity of the surviving scheme is remarkable and clearly conveys Thompson’s distinctive use of materials,
high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. The shop exterior also demonstrates high quality in its materials, detailing and design. The marble cladding and gilded engraving convey durability and quality, consistent with a respectable menswear brand. The asymmetrical glazed entrance lobby which slopes inwards towards the entrance recessed, intended to draw the customer into the premises, reflects the development of progressive approaches to retail design during the post-war period. Although the exterior has been altered by the installation of modern shutters, these do not obscure the underlying quality and interest of the shopfront. The special interest of the building… resides principally in the ground-floor shopfront and interior… Waddington stands out for the quality and coherence
of its design, its thoughtful use of high-quality materials, progressive shopfront treatment, exceptional craftsmanship and, above all, the remarkably complete survival of its purpose-designed Mouseman interior. Its association with Robert Thompson, together with the apparent rarity of such an extensive commercial commission, considerably enhances that interest. (1)

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION:
ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST: for the quality and coherence of its design, its thoughtful use of high-quality materials, progressive shopfront treatment and exceptional interior craftsmanship; [and]
for the remarkably complete survival of its purpose-designed interior by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, which includes wall panelling, a fire surround, display cabinetry, sets of drawers, bench seating, a service desk and light fittings, and features over 30 mice. HISTORIC INTEREST: as a rare example of a commercial interior scheme designed by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. (1)

<1> DOE, Listed Building Description (Published document). SNT228.