Next after Fisons, Mookster and I drove over to Manchester to explore a little known site nestled in a street right next to a Metrolink.
The site was amazing, some of it had clearly been disused for decades, and other parts that were used until the 2013 closure, looked like something from the mid 20th century; with type writers, analogue tooling and typewriters, though they did have a website and it looked as if an auction had taken place on site so maybe they had one PC?
Williamsons had traded at the same site in Mumps Bridge, Oldham since 1920. The private family business was still run by members of the Williamson family. The business grew considerably since the outset and soon covered over two acres of warehouse space.
In 1969, the company have become a major supplier of Fire Fighting and Rescue Equipment. A large amount of this equipment was to Home Office Specification and was offered in both new and refurbished condition.
By 1975; Williamsons were supplying all variant types of new and refurbished conveyor systems, holding considerable stocks of equipment, and manufactured bespoke items to customers specification.
The company went into liquidation in 2013 when the new MetroLink cut off customer’s route to the already tucked away factory site.
It’s a crying shame as this type of industry is fast dying UK wide. I expect it was a really nice, tight knit place to work.
Judging by their website they had a wide range of products ranging from not only Conveyor Belt Spares and Fire Fighting Equipment, but to 4X4 Accessories and Factory Surplus Equipment.
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More At:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/landie_man/sets/72157652301116110
The site was amazing, some of it had clearly been disused for decades, and other parts that were used until the 2013 closure, looked like something from the mid 20th century; with type writers, analogue tooling and typewriters, though they did have a website and it looked as if an auction had taken place on site so maybe they had one PC?
Williamsons had traded at the same site in Mumps Bridge, Oldham since 1920. The private family business was still run by members of the Williamson family. The business grew considerably since the outset and soon covered over two acres of warehouse space.
In 1969, the company have become a major supplier of Fire Fighting and Rescue Equipment. A large amount of this equipment was to Home Office Specification and was offered in both new and refurbished condition.
By 1975; Williamsons were supplying all variant types of new and refurbished conveyor systems, holding considerable stocks of equipment, and manufactured bespoke items to customers specification.
The company went into liquidation in 2013 when the new MetroLink cut off customer’s route to the already tucked away factory site.
It’s a crying shame as this type of industry is fast dying UK wide. I expect it was a really nice, tight knit place to work.
Judging by their website they had a wide range of products ranging from not only Conveyor Belt Spares and Fire Fighting Equipment, but to 4X4 Accessories and Factory Surplus Equipment.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
#13
#14
#15
More At:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/landie_man/sets/72157652301116110
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