Report - Niphon Works, Wolverhampton REPORT

[dweeb]

The building is a fine Victorian factory which once produced tin plate goods, wooden furnature, coach work for motor cars and knife sharpeners it would seem!

Every trace of those days has gone and all we found were abandoned sweat shops, which had been making cheap clothing up until their closure in 2004. Apparently the tennents had been hoofed out as the building was due to be converted to flats, but as of yet no sign of that. Still the fabric of the building was lovely.

"One of the largest and busiest industrial establishments in Wolverhampton is that known as the "Niphon Works," of Messrs. Robert Stroud and Co., the well-known manufacturers of tin plate and japanned wares, etc., whose business was established a quarter of a century ago, and has a record of exceptional progress.

The works named are in Lower Villiers Street, to which they present a long four-storied frontage; there are three extensive ranges of building running from the front block, the accommodation for workshops, warehouses, offices, etc., being remarkably extensive. About six months ago the firm built a large block of building at the rear, three storeys in height, for the purposes of cabinet manufacturing and this is most admirably arranged and equipped for all purposes.

Messrs. Stroud and Co.'s machinery, plant and appliances are excellent in every respect, and no doubt the all round superiority of the facilities that they possess accounts in no small degree for the eminence they have attained in their lines of trade.

Tin-plate and japanned ware, japanned stationery goods, and all classes of stamped goods, trunks baths, deed and cash boxes, wash stands, toilet sets, coal vases, dish covers, trays and waiters, fire screens, and every description of wares for art decoration are produced in great quantities at these works, the demand for them being an extraordinary one.

The sound workmanship and finish and general excellence of all the articles enumerated are admitted, and the goods of this firm are thus able to withstand any competition.

Listing: Locally listed in 2004. Classic 19th century factory building. Four storey frontage with tall narrow workshops to rear. Decorative central bay with elaborate pediment and 'Niphon Works' in relief above ground floor windows. Established c.1865, by Robert Stroud, for the manufacture of tin trunks, tinware and japanned goods. Prominent landmark in local area.

Explored with Oxygen Thief

 

[rhett]

is it still there?