Conservation experts from Nottinghamshire County Council and Mansfield District Council have welcomed the news that a famous local architect could become the face of the new £20 bank note.

Fothergill Watson was born in 1841 in Mansfield and was responsible for designing a huge range of buildings, many of which still stand today. Much of his work was in Nottingham, but examples can also be found in other places around the county, including the:
•School of Violin Making, Newark
•former Mansfield Cattle Market building, Mansfield
•Hucknall Coffee Tavern and Institute, Hucknall

More than 30,000 names were nominated to replace economist Adam Smith on the new £20 note which is expected to be in circulation from 2020. Of those nominations, 592 people have been chosen for further consideration – including Fothergill Watson.

David Littlewood, Historic Environment Officer at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We’re absolutely delighted that such a renowned local architect is being considered for this honour.

“His work has left a rich architectural legacy of the Victorian period and 48 of his surviving works are now listed buildings, whilst many more make an important contribution to local character and our sense of place. So, even if he is not ultimately chosen for the new £20 note, his legacy lives on through the many impressive buildings he designed which still stand to this day.”

Mark Wilkinson, Principal Conservation and Heritage officer at Mansfield District Council, added: “This would be a fitting tribute to the great work and skill of Fothergill Watson and would recognise the significant architectural influence he has had on Mansfield and Nottinghamshire.

“His work is still evident in Mansfield today, including the former bank on Church Street which is now part of the Swan, the double-gabled building adjoining and to the rear of the Town Hall, the offices for Harrop White, Vallance and Dawson Solicitors in Albert Street, the former Cattle Market Tavern on Nottingham Road and a large family villa within the Crow Hill Drive Conservation Area.

“These buildings are hugely important to the local character and distinctiveness of the town and most have listed status, which means they will be protected for the benefit of generations to come.”

Fothergill Watson was the second son of a local lace manufacturer, Robert Watson. He left school at 15 and was apprenticed to Fredrick Jackson, a civil engineer and architect involved with the detailed mapping of Nottingham. By 1864 Fothergill had qualified as an architect having spent time learning his trade in Nottingham and London.

Over the following 40 years Fothergill Watson was a prolific designer of buildings for a wide range of uses, from commercial, domestic and civic structures to banks, villas and chapels.

Distinctive ‘gothic’ features of many of his buildings include turrets, towers, tall chimneys and timbered gables, which are often further embellished with contrasting coloured brickwork, sculptural stone work and decorative friezes.