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Free classical style. Silver Street: Above the central section of the triple arched entrance is a cartouche with the borough coat of arms; flanked by two standing female figures representing Literature (figure holding book in left hand and pen in right) and Art (female figure holding palette in left hand). A frieze runs along the top of the first storey of the projecting left-hand bay; two columns dividing the frieze into three parts. The overall theme is Literature, represented by the Muses, and the cardinal virtues. The main figure in the central panel is Mnemosyne (Memory and mother of the Muses) standing in front of a throne, her left hand resting on a book; supported on both sides by figures representing the liberal arts and sciences: to her far left, Grammar (female figure with scroll inscribed with vowels); Rhetoric (female figure holding lyre); and Geometry (female figure holding dividers); to her far right, Arithmetic (male figure with scroll containing algebraic formula); Astronomy (figure with celestial globe); and Logic (male figure). To the left of the centre panel, the frieze contains representations of the muses with the return end showing some of the cardinal virtues. The corner figure is Calliope (figure with tablet and stylus); Polyhymnia (female figure with scroll); Melpomene (figure with crown and sceptre); Thespis (male figure) and Thalia (female figure with comedy mask).The return end depicts Justice in the form of Tralencus (male figure with book resting on sword) administering justice to a male prisoner, flanked by two guards. To the right of the centre panel, the frieze continues with the muses and virtues. The corner figure is Erato (female figure with lyre and plectrum); Urania (female figure with globe); Terpsichore (female figure with lyre and plectrum); Clio (female figure carrying a book) and Enterpe (female figure with flute). The return end depicts Honour represented by a soldier refusing a bribe, and Virtue represented by a young female supported by Themis, Goddess of Law, holding a cornucopia. The frieze on the right-hand bay is similarly divided into three parts. The overall theme is the applied arts. In the centre panel the main figure represents Art as applied to painting, a female figure standing in front of a throne, her left hand holding a palette. To her left are two figures representing vase painting, and a figure representing architecture (male figure holding model of building). To her right are two figures representing design and drawing, and sculpture (male figure holding maquette). To the left of the centre panel the corner figure is a stonemason (male figure carrying carved baluster); a tiler (male figure holding flooring tiles); two figures moving textiles; a woodcarver (male figure holding carved wooden panel); and a modeller (female figure). The return end depicts four workmen possibly associated with the printing trades. To the right of the centre panel the corner figure represents heraldry (male figure holding shield); needlework (two female figures engaged in needlework); three figures engaged in wallpaper work; and a male craftsman displaying repoussé work. The return end depicts four craftsmen in the building trades. Moss Street: above the three-bay portico (entrance to the art gallery) are three sculpted panels, divided by two columns, representing Architecture, Painting and Sculpture. The centre panel is Architecture, represented by a seated male figure holding a model of a building, flanked on either side by three male figures holding plans and examples of stonework. The panel to the left represents Sculpture, depicted by a seated male working on a sculpture of an angel, flanked by figures holding balustrades, chisels and maquettes. The panel to the right represents Art. Here the central figure is a seated female working on a painting of an angel, flanked by male and female figures.

Built as condition of gift of Wrigley collection of paintings. James Wrigley and son were paper makers of Bury, Manchester, and London. The foundation stone was laid by Oswald Wrigley, 29 April 1899. The building was opened on 19 October 1901 by the Earl of Derby. The friezes by Millson are of classical figures. In the centre of the left panel is the muse Mnemosyne, flanked by Grammar (with vowels), Astronomy (the youthful figure holding celestial globe), and Rhetoric, holding the scroll.

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