I found out about this place from my girlfriend who said she used to go in here over 10 years ago as kids and that it still stands so i eagerly mentioned going over to check it out, On arrival i noticed how much overgrown bushes, trees and grass really hide away most the lower part of the building, its like going through a jungle to get to it. The building has been stripped of nearly everything in it, there is still a few things to see and worth a quick look if passing by there is 2 cottages from the 17th century on the grounds as well both derelict, I sadly didn't have time to see them as i dragged my girlfriend along and she was impatiently waiting out the front on a bench so it was a short and sweet visit 
I found a document about the history of it from the council so iv took a few bits out of that but nothing about the closure in it though,
This building was built in 1868 and used to be called Benjamin Riley, This company traded till 1937 at the premises, it was then taken over by R.S.Lawrence to form Lawrence and Co Boot and shoe factory. Over the years it expanded its grounds and factories (which has all been knocked down since closure) making it a very big factory in its hay day, I'm thinking the closure was around 1999, not a lot of paperwork with dates to go by either. Tesco have been trying to put planning permission to knock this 18th century factory and five 17th century cottages (2 derelict and 3 still habitable) down to make way for a new superstore which has still not been accepted after over 5 years.
Building shots notice the over growth in every external shot,
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On the 2nd floor
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Saved by the bell
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Thanks for looking
I found a document about the history of it from the council so iv took a few bits out of that but nothing about the closure in it though,This building was built in 1868 and used to be called Benjamin Riley, This company traded till 1937 at the premises, it was then taken over by R.S.Lawrence to form Lawrence and Co Boot and shoe factory. Over the years it expanded its grounds and factories (which has all been knocked down since closure) making it a very big factory in its hay day, I'm thinking the closure was around 1999, not a lot of paperwork with dates to go by either. Tesco have been trying to put planning permission to knock this 18th century factory and five 17th century cottages (2 derelict and 3 still habitable) down to make way for a new superstore which has still not been accepted after over 5 years.
Building shots notice the over growth in every external shot,
View attachment 562532
View attachment 562533
On the 2nd floor
View attachment 562534
View attachment 562535
View attachment 562536
View attachment 562537
Saved by the bell
View attachment 562538
View attachment 562539
View attachment 562540
View attachment 562541
View attachment 562542
View attachment 562543
View attachment 562544
View attachment 562545
View attachment 562546
Thanks for looking
