Radio factories still standing

[McMurdo]

I decided a thread on the radio factory buildings which still exist around the country would be interesting; I'm particulary pleased to see the 1920s/30's factories that have remained. Given factory addresses and streetview, it's often easy to 'drive down' the roads in question from the comfort of your home and re-visit them.

Here's a couple: Telsen of Aston, Birmingham who made 'McNamara' radios and 'telsen' electrical accessories, now seperate industrial units; and Ultra at Chalk Farm, now offices & apartments; and who built a more modern factory at Acton in 1935.

[Martin Bush]

This is a great idea.

I must see what is left of the old Mullards site in Blackburn.

[dave walsh]

Not that much I suspect. I used to drive past it in the eighties!
Dave W

[Ed_Dinning]

Hi Kevin, I have a representative drawing of the Telsen building from the front covers of the Telsen Radiomag.
I always thought it was an exaggerated drawing as I didn't think their production warranted anything as big as the sketch, but seeing your pic it is not so far off.

Ed

[Radio Wrangler]

Great idea. Many factories still stand, though converted into smaller units, or apartments. The latter was the fate of the RCA building in Camden Noo Joisy from whence came the AR88s (The LF versions were Canadian)

It looks an impressive building - this is the Google Earth 3D view, if the forum software auto-shrinks the file OK.

David

[McMurdo]

On the left, McMichael's 1930's Slough factory in Wexham Road. The factory buildings are still used as industrial units, fitted with a new tin facade & now known as 'The Business Village'. The old east light buildings extend behind the trees in the distance up to the canal which now has a bridge over.

On the right, a closeup (streetview) of Telsen's art deco main entrance.

[PsychMan]

The UK Philco factory building in Perivale is still standing. While it was predominantly an American brand, sets here were produced for the UK market.

I've not seen many Philcos in the UK, but the one I did see I bought and is now awaiting its time on the work bench (471)

[David Simpson]

Is Hartley Electromotives of Shrewsbury still standing alongside the A49 going north ?

Regards, David

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by PsychMan

The UK Philco factory building in Perivale is still standing...

But sadly...
http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/13...p_down_embers/

[PsychMan]

Oh how terrible, I didn't hear about that, and so recent.

I wonder if a developer had been refused permission. Funny how these buildings tend to go up in smoke before achieving listed status

[stevehertz]

Great thread. Regarding the Telsen building, I always look across at it whenever I'm driving along the A38M into (and out) of Brum. Interestingly it was brought to my attention as long ago as 1981 when together with Steve Sidaway we were asked by the Birmingham Evening Mail to put on a display of vintage wireless and TV sets at the Ideal Home Exhibition held in the (now demolished) Bingley Hall off Broad St in Brum. Three old chaps who were visiting the show became much more interested in our stand than the modern stuff at the show and we exchanged many tales about 'old wireless and TV sets'. Anyway, one of those guys told me where to look for the Telsen Factory and I've been gazing upon it ever since. I love the way it still retains its name and its art deco heritage.

Out of interest, if anyone has the History of the BVWS book, there's a photo of Steve and I's display on page 41.

[stevehertz]

Having been a big Cossor fan since I got my trusty 375 in the 70s (see tiny photo to the left) I've periodically 'checked out' Cossor's company history. In 1918 the company moved to a new site in Highbury, London, to a factory called the 'Aberdeen Works'. The office building which was called Cossor House is still standing, having been renamed Ladbroke House and now forming part of the London Metropolitan University campus. Apparently many of the building's interior art deco furnishings remain untouched.

[G6Tanuki]

Though not a "radio" factory per se, my documentation of the demise of Plessey's Swindon (Cheney Manor) plant is documented in this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...=104303&page=1

[Nickthedentist]

There's also a thread with pics here re. Ekco in Southend.

[PaulM]

There's an on-going battle over Marconi's Hall Street works. See: http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2015-...adio-heritage/

This was his first factory in 1898.

The 1912 part of the more famous New Street works has been listed and saved. It's now a cosmetics company HQ (ho hum . . .). The stunning art deco Marconi House to the rear of the site has been demolished, as has the unique Building 720 with its huge 'wavy' roof.

The Marconi House listing refusal is here: http://list.historicengland.org.uk/r...px?uid=1414532

Some background and pictures of its demise are here: https://www.***********/photos/stuart166axe/9196492979

Looking like the bridge of a ship it was an iconic reminder of the prowess and commercial success of Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd. That other contemporary 'ship' - BBC Broadcasting House - lives on, but then that belongs to an outfit with lots of public money . . .

Best regards,

Paul M

[dseymo1]

Originally Posted by David Simpson

Is Hartley Electromotives of Shrewsbury still standing alongside the A49 going north ?

It's now the Hartley Business Centre - usual range of small units, but the general appearance of the old factory is stlll evident. I'll try and get a picture when I'm next up that way, but there are already good few online.

[G3VKM_Roger]

Apparently, the Hallicrafters factory in Chicago is still standing, there's a site with some photos here:-

http://hamgallery.com/gallery/H/hallicrafters.htm

Roger

[McMurdo]

The Philco factory fire is tragic. It's a beautiful building whether a radio factory or not. I have a couple of Philco-UK late 30's woodies, at least I know where they came from!

Hopefully this thread will concentrate on exisitng buildings, since I'd say its more worthy of note, and indeed on topic. The past is littered with the footings of demolished industrial buildings and could soon fill the thread with off-topic, depressing laments and politically charged comment, I'm sure!

[McMurdo]

R&A loudspeakers are a familiar sight in our radios. The R&A factory with eastlight assembly halls is still standing in full and is now home to Clover Knitwear, a clothing manufacturer. Frederick Street, Wolverhampton.

[McMurdo]

Former huge Rola-Celestion works, Thames Ditton, now industrial units.