History
The factory was built between 1945 and 1948. The grade II listed building was designed by Sir Percy Thomas and Son, and the client was British Nylon Spinners, a joint venture of ICI Ltd and Courtaulds Ltd. When completed, the site had: a production plant, a doctors' surgery, a building devoted to testing and developing the products to support their successful use by customers, an administration block and a Research and Development block. Around 1960 a clubhouse was built across the road with a huge ballroom used for concerts with big bands and films and parties. There was also a rifle range, judo lessons, restaurant and bars.
The factory was originally the source of all nylon yarn produced in Britain with around 5,000 people working there. It ceased production in 1988.
Some of the buildings have been demolished and some are still in use by various businesses including the police!
I didn't take a photo from the outside so here is an old one.
The visit.
Visited with @clebby. It was thankfully one of our less eventful days out (we didn't see security). We spent a good few hours looking around and I think there was probably lots more to see but it was chilly and we got hungry and the pub was calling......
photos taken with an old Sony cybershot.
The first place we got into was the kitchens which were being used to store loads of old furniture, books and other stuff.
The kitchen basement:
Office off the main kitchen with drawers of 1960's paperwork.
Huge walk in fridges.
Then we went to the main factory building.
There were lots of lovely old hand painted signs.
In one of 3 huge air conditioning plants.
Royal Doulton
The factory was built between 1945 and 1948. The grade II listed building was designed by Sir Percy Thomas and Son, and the client was British Nylon Spinners, a joint venture of ICI Ltd and Courtaulds Ltd. When completed, the site had: a production plant, a doctors' surgery, a building devoted to testing and developing the products to support their successful use by customers, an administration block and a Research and Development block. Around 1960 a clubhouse was built across the road with a huge ballroom used for concerts with big bands and films and parties. There was also a rifle range, judo lessons, restaurant and bars.
The factory was originally the source of all nylon yarn produced in Britain with around 5,000 people working there. It ceased production in 1988.
Some of the buildings have been demolished and some are still in use by various businesses including the police!
I didn't take a photo from the outside so here is an old one.
The visit.
Visited with @clebby. It was thankfully one of our less eventful days out (we didn't see security). We spent a good few hours looking around and I think there was probably lots more to see but it was chilly and we got hungry and the pub was calling......
photos taken with an old Sony cybershot.
The first place we got into was the kitchens which were being used to store loads of old furniture, books and other stuff.
The kitchen basement:
Office off the main kitchen with drawers of 1960's paperwork.
Huge walk in fridges.
Then we went to the main factory building.
There were lots of lovely old hand painted signs.
In one of 3 huge air conditioning plants.
Royal Doulton
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