Derby,Clarion Works,Allen Group,October 08.

[johno23]

On a walkabout recently,we came across this place purely by chance.It is the former base of The Allen Group of Derby and as you will note from the signboard it incorporated several companies.It is a traditional family run business of over 60 years standing.It has now re located and is still running.The type of work carried out at this factory included Printing,design,web design,stationery,leaflets,business cards etc.
Sadly,it is scheduled for demolition shortly as part of the planned inner ring road that the council have neither got permission or the money for.They are carrying out preparatory work in the area by demolishing things in the hope that it gets the go ahead.Its been in planning for at least 30 years now and still they hold onto the pipe dream.Anyway,although we could not access all areas on this visit,here are some pictures to illustrate yet more historical industrial decline.The team consisted of JOHNO23,TIMEWARP and DRAMA QUEEN.

Signboard showing several companies of the group.

Main gates,typical old factory.

Main yard,once a hub of activity.

Foremans office,keeping a watchful eye.

Foremans eye view,spooky& lonely now.

General view of large print shop.

Another Workshop view.

Boiler house and inside main gate.

Favourite window view shot.

Porthole view through vent,old versus new.

High voltage Pikey food.

Scary old fusebox.

Retro,original lightswitches.

If you dont like spiders,forget this one.

A typical resident and one of many.

Typical old roof construction in workshop.

Ancient coat pegs.

Nature is starting to take over.

Just like the callout bell in Fireman Sam we thought,.

Nice old traditional factory,soon to be consigned to the rubble heap of history to accomadate yet more traffic and pollution:arghh:

 

[Kaputnik]

another nice find from your crew! looks a bit near to that row of houses. doesn't look like it's had the attention of the scrap collectors or local chavs yet either, which makes a nice change, good stuff.

 

[Foxylady]

Love the yard and that fabulous old red brick. Such a damn shame it'll be another one lost. :icon_evil
Great coat pegs too, btw.

 

[thompski]

Another nice find, good stuff

 

[goodeavens]

Great find, good to get there before it`s trashed. There`s plenty of Derby industrial sites from yesteryear that I`d have loved the chance to have had a good nose around. Nice one

 

[kyberhai]

Heheh I was looking at this and I'm thinking "Allen Group... Allen Group... I know that name... where the hell is it?" and then it hit me. For years my Dad lived on the corner of the main road at the bottom of that street

looks a bit near to that row of houses. doesn't look like it's had the attention of the scrap collectors or local chavs yet either, which makes a nice change, good stuff.

Indeed it is very close to the houses and it's also in a wonderfully accessible yet out-of-the-way spot. Very nice find

 

[krela]

Looks like it's in a really good condition, it's a shame such solid buildings can't be re-used.

 

[johno23]

Looks like it's in a really good condition, it's a shame such solid buildings can't be re-used.

Yes it is,its perhaps the most intact one we have been in actually.According to a calendar we found it closed at that location in 2006,So it has survived well really.There is evidence of "kid" damage though.such as smashed lights and the odd window or two.Its a nice little factory unit though.

 

[thompski]

Great find, good to get there before it`s trashed. There`s plenty of Derby industrial sites from yesteryear that I`d have loved the chance to have had a good nose around. Nice one

Too right, though thankfully there is alot of stuff still standing for people like us to see.

 

[kyberhai]

I'll retract my earlier comment about this one being somewhat out-of-the-way as I'd completely failed to take into account the side entrance. Honestly, I delivered papers round there for long enough you'd think I'd remember better

According to a calendar we found it closed at that location in 2006

Heheh got a chance to take a look in there myself and that 'Holidays 2005-2006' calendar tickled me too
Just a shame there was no way to the buildings on the other sides of the yard.

By the way, did any of you folks get chance to look in on the kitchen showroom and other buildings that were still standing on Abbey Street until the recent demolitions there?

 

[johno23]

No unfortunately we didnt,we did a good recce on them,but it was too busy and too many nosey parkers about,it would have been well worth it though,its been completely levelled now as you perhaps know.