History
Founded by Edward Curran of Edward Curran Engineering Co in 1903, and originally specialising in furnace production, the foundry pivoted to construct munitions just prior to the outbreak of the first world war, forging over seven million howitzer cases by the end of the conflict. Following the war the machinery was repurposed to produce enamelled metalware such as cups and plates.
By the 1930s the company was one of few UK manufacturers able to produce munitions, giving them a significant role in British re-armament prior to the second world war. The factory was damaged several times by German bombing, and after the war they once again pivoted to production of peacetime appropriate products, such as enamalled metalware and later steel and acrylic baths.
The factory closed in 2005 and is currently earmarked for demolition to make way for riverside housing projects, so get yourself round while its still there.
The Trip
Made a reconnisanse trip during the week to scope out the place but couldn't get into the enterance without being seen by workers at the trade campus opposite, so came back at the weekend when things were quieter. A dodgy shimmy along a ledge on the outside got me onto the first floor, followed by an even dodgier climb down a ladder balanced on some shelves to get down to the ground floor and the factory proper. Once inside it was a really nice wander about the cavernous factory floors, although there was a close call where I almost fell through the floor in one of the decaying office structures, which are generally unsound. Plenty left behind and hardly any graffiti or vandalism so you can really get a sense of the place it used to be and the people who passed through it. Also worth a visit for anyone interested in collecting bones, as the gulls nesting in the celling scavenge them from all over the city. One of my favourite sites in 'diff and one to which I will certainly be returning to take in the ambience before its gone.
Pictures
Founded by Edward Curran of Edward Curran Engineering Co in 1903, and originally specialising in furnace production, the foundry pivoted to construct munitions just prior to the outbreak of the first world war, forging over seven million howitzer cases by the end of the conflict. Following the war the machinery was repurposed to produce enamelled metalware such as cups and plates.
By the 1930s the company was one of few UK manufacturers able to produce munitions, giving them a significant role in British re-armament prior to the second world war. The factory was damaged several times by German bombing, and after the war they once again pivoted to production of peacetime appropriate products, such as enamalled metalware and later steel and acrylic baths.
The factory closed in 2005 and is currently earmarked for demolition to make way for riverside housing projects, so get yourself round while its still there.
The Trip
Made a reconnisanse trip during the week to scope out the place but couldn't get into the enterance without being seen by workers at the trade campus opposite, so came back at the weekend when things were quieter. A dodgy shimmy along a ledge on the outside got me onto the first floor, followed by an even dodgier climb down a ladder balanced on some shelves to get down to the ground floor and the factory proper. Once inside it was a really nice wander about the cavernous factory floors, although there was a close call where I almost fell through the floor in one of the decaying office structures, which are generally unsound. Plenty left behind and hardly any graffiti or vandalism so you can really get a sense of the place it used to be and the people who passed through it. Also worth a visit for anyone interested in collecting bones, as the gulls nesting in the celling scavenge them from all over the city. One of my favourite sites in 'diff and one to which I will certainly be returning to take in the ambience before its gone.
Pictures
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