ok, not been out and about for a while, so when the opportunity arose to meet up with a few friends and have a look around, i really couldn't resist!!
Alphonse Reyrolle started his empire with 12 employees brought over from London in 1903 to make Electrical Switch Gear. Wise move, as by the 1930's they were producing a wide range of electrical goods, including the eurika vaccum cleaner! They had a cricket team, a football team and at their peak in the late 50's, the company employed over 10'000 people.
This block was built in 1958, at the height of Reyrolle's success. However, it turned out to be a bit of a white elephant, and by as early as 1979 the building was mainly occupied by the DHSS.
All around it, the Reyrolle's empire was slowly being torn down, as orders started to dry up, and successive buy-outs by Rolls Royce, VA tech and finally siemans has seen this once huge employer slowly vanish from Hebburn.
For 4 years this building has stood derelict.
Patience has prevailed on this one, after being denied by this place on more than one occasion....... and then constantly reminded of the fact by its dominating prescence on the skyline, i am soooo pleased to have been able to see this place before it went
The demo teams are lurking, so time is running out for this place......... here is your peek at it before it turns to rubble
The town that was Reyrolls Factory in 1962. It even had its own internal railway!
fire damage to the main reception
Headed up the stairs to the 'plans room'
Right at the top, with windows that slant outwards, the view from this place was amazing!
those that can't be mentioned???!!!!
look carefully, you can still see the word 'reyrolle' on the wall!
the board rooms, still in pretty good nick, pale wallpaper, wooden panels, very cozy!
Another rooftop
the kitchen
some switchgear
she geordie, signing off
Alphonse Reyrolle started his empire with 12 employees brought over from London in 1903 to make Electrical Switch Gear. Wise move, as by the 1930's they were producing a wide range of electrical goods, including the eurika vaccum cleaner! They had a cricket team, a football team and at their peak in the late 50's, the company employed over 10'000 people.
This block was built in 1958, at the height of Reyrolle's success. However, it turned out to be a bit of a white elephant, and by as early as 1979 the building was mainly occupied by the DHSS.
All around it, the Reyrolle's empire was slowly being torn down, as orders started to dry up, and successive buy-outs by Rolls Royce, VA tech and finally siemans has seen this once huge employer slowly vanish from Hebburn.
For 4 years this building has stood derelict.
Patience has prevailed on this one, after being denied by this place on more than one occasion....... and then constantly reminded of the fact by its dominating prescence on the skyline, i am soooo pleased to have been able to see this place before it went
The demo teams are lurking, so time is running out for this place......... here is your peek at it before it turns to rubble
The town that was Reyrolls Factory in 1962. It even had its own internal railway!
fire damage to the main reception
Headed up the stairs to the 'plans room'
Right at the top, with windows that slant outwards, the view from this place was amazing!
those that can't be mentioned???!!!!
look carefully, you can still see the word 'reyrolle' on the wall!
the board rooms, still in pretty good nick, pale wallpaper, wooden panels, very cozy!
Another rooftop
the kitchen
some switchgear
she geordie, signing off
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