James Bennett, manufacturer of ladies underwear, founded his company in 1912, beginning from a workshop in his back garden. The firm was incorporated in 1915 and erected its 'Benco Works' on Rugby Road soon afterwards. One of the last remaining works in this once thriving Leicestershire hosiery town, until recently the front of the place was still looked after like the factories of old, with carefully manicured lawn and highly polished brass company plaque. However a big chunk of Hinckley town centre including the Benco works now sits derelict, awaiting demolition for a cinema and supermarket development.
Had snooped around this one numerous times, but finally managed to get in recently! It looks like only the offices and a small part of the factory were used properly in recent years, the main part having lots of water ingress and decay. Had high hopes for this one but was a little disappointed to be honest, though there was the odd nice old find here and there. Visited with jacquesj, mattdonut, and Mr Sam.
Had snooped around this one numerous times, but finally managed to get in recently! It looks like only the offices and a small part of the factory were used properly in recent years, the main part having lots of water ingress and decay. Had high hopes for this one but was a little disappointed to be honest, though there was the odd nice old find here and there. Visited with jacquesj, mattdonut, and Mr Sam.
