A heritage plaque is being planned at the first site of Lancaster University which was also a furniture factory for Waring & Gillow.
A listed building planning application has gone in for a new green plaque on St Leonard's House on St Leonard's Gate in Lancaster.
The Grade II listed building was home to the former Gillows factory from 1881 to 1961.
It opened as the first site for the university in 1964.
The applicant is Lancaster Civic Vision.
"The Gillow (and then Waring and Gillow) factory links historically back to the West Indies mahogany trade, the epoch of the slave trade and plantations which provided the foundations for the expansion of Gillows into St. Leonard’s Gate from their initial workshops in Castle Hill," says a statement submitted to Lancaster City Council with the plans.
"Gillows were significantly sustained by trade with, and providing high quality furniture for, the colonists.
"Later, in the 20th century the factory produced furniture for cruise ships and during the two world wars aircraft parts were manufactured. The firm became a key part of the Lancaster economy for 200 years.
Below, St Leonard's House today
"Following the closure of the factory in 1961, the building was used by Universal Stores until the following year. By 1964 the building had been transformed to become the first site of Lancaster University. It had a regenerative impact on what had become a run-down area due to the decline of local industries.
"St. Leonard’s House - as a base for the new University- had a library, laboratories, a refectory, seminar rooms and social spaces. From 1966 the University departments gradually moved out to the current Bailrigg site.
"The current project is aimed at memorialising the historical importance of the building via a green plaque proposed for the wall to the right (as facing the building) of the main entrance."
The building is now used as student accommodation.
Green heritage plaques are used by local councils and societies to celebrate historic, notable or locally significant people, places and events.
Lancaster Civic Vision has for many years arranged for the erection of these plaques around the Lancaster District to commemorate prominent people and buildings.
Green plaques in Lancaster include at Bonnie Prince Charlie's lodgings on Church Street, the Assembly Rooms on King Street, the Royal Kings Arms Hotel where Charles Dickens stayed in the 19th century, and the birthplace on High Street of poet and scholar Laurence Binyon.
Appeal launched to help save Morecambe sports and social club
Reopening date announced after Morecambe Jobcentre closes for repairs
Lancaster charity urges residents to know how they’re affected by Renters' Rights Act
Lancaster district residents urged to check their details as annual electoral canvass begins
E-bikes and e-scooters seized during police crackdown on Lancaster cycle track
Four vehicles involved in road collision in Carnforth
LISTEN: Popular vlog tells story of couple's second-hand bookshop dream in Morecambe
Emergency team in Silverdale receives donation of life-saving kits
MP offers support to staff after Morecambe FC reported to The Pensions Regulator
Track night at Lancaster sports club to launch police safety scheme for women and girls
PHOTOS: Live music day to raise funds for homeless people in Lancaster hailed as huge success
Former bank turned live music venue in Morecambe to reopen under new management
New parking system set to launch at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Museum in Lancaster up for award launched by TV historian David Olusoga
MP fights for refunds after Heysham medical centre patients get parking fines in error
Two teenagers arrested after car stolen during Hest Bank burglary
Parents demand further action after health watchdog probe into asbestos complaints at Lancaster school
LISTEN: Lancaster medical students praised for helping man who collapsed
Man arrested on Morecambe beach after report of assault
Police probe burglaries in villages near Carnforth
