History
Henry Perky invented the product we know today as 'Shredded Wheat.' After a while of selling his product, the formed a company called 'The Cereal Machine Company.' When building the Welwyn Garden City site, they decided to stick to the name 'The Shredded Wheat Company.' This site was built in 1926, designed by Louis de Soissons. In 1928, The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) took over the factory. Nabisco sold the factory in 1988 to Rank Hovis McDougall, shortly after to be sold to Nestlé in 1990. The factory was the main point of employment for a lot of locals to the town. Many residents close by remember waking up to the smell of wheat. This site closed in January 2008.
Future Plans
Part of the factory is Grade II listed, so it cannot be demolished. About 80% of the building has been knocked down already by the time I had my visit. There are 6 silo's left of about 18. The main packing building still stands and has plans to be renovated into offices/commercial buildings for small shops. There is talk at the moment of the building on top of the silos to become a restaurant (however this is not confirmed.)
My Visit
This visit was a permission visit, guided by a staff member. It was very pleasant and honestly a HUGE site to walk around. I was told on my walk a little bit about the history and future plans, along with what some of the things on the building used to be used for and such. This place is honestly mesmerizing, it was a lot to take in. I have seen this building for many years passing on the bus and it was such an honor to be there, even if more than half the place was gone already.
Externals
Internals
Pipework on the ceiling.
Conveyor belts.
Huge packing floor.
Part of the conveyor??
Another angle of the conveyor.
Paint peeled staircase.
Some concrete blocks???
Paint peeled staircase.
TOILET?? HELLO?!
Paint peeling near ceiling.
Another floor?
Some weird machine?
Image quality reduced to 72DPI to protect my images
x
Henry Perky invented the product we know today as 'Shredded Wheat.' After a while of selling his product, the formed a company called 'The Cereal Machine Company.' When building the Welwyn Garden City site, they decided to stick to the name 'The Shredded Wheat Company.' This site was built in 1926, designed by Louis de Soissons. In 1928, The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) took over the factory. Nabisco sold the factory in 1988 to Rank Hovis McDougall, shortly after to be sold to Nestlé in 1990. The factory was the main point of employment for a lot of locals to the town. Many residents close by remember waking up to the smell of wheat. This site closed in January 2008.
Future Plans
Part of the factory is Grade II listed, so it cannot be demolished. About 80% of the building has been knocked down already by the time I had my visit. There are 6 silo's left of about 18. The main packing building still stands and has plans to be renovated into offices/commercial buildings for small shops. There is talk at the moment of the building on top of the silos to become a restaurant (however this is not confirmed.)
My Visit
This visit was a permission visit, guided by a staff member. It was very pleasant and honestly a HUGE site to walk around. I was told on my walk a little bit about the history and future plans, along with what some of the things on the building used to be used for and such. This place is honestly mesmerizing, it was a lot to take in. I have seen this building for many years passing on the bus and it was such an honor to be there, even if more than half the place was gone already.
Externals
Internals
Pipework on the ceiling.
Conveyor belts.
Huge packing floor.
Part of the conveyor??
Another angle of the conveyor.
Paint peeled staircase.
Some concrete blocks???
Paint peeled staircase.
TOILET?? HELLO?!
Paint peeling near ceiling.
Another floor?
Some weird machine?
Image quality reduced to 72DPI to protect my images
x
