Not the greatest photos, sorry! Given there’s no other reports I gathered something is better than nothing. I took the drone up before entering and noticed security walking back into the security hut at the front so it was now or never while he was going for a rest. I didn’t plan on sharing to the world so my main focus was to quickly see and shoot as much as possible before getting caught to document the site for myself as a massive firework fan. Hopefully others will follow suit and give the site the report it deserves. These photos were taken early June 2023
Manufacturing was moved to China in 1998 hence parts of the site looking very run down from the manufacturing days. These days the site was mainly used for storage, distribution, admin side of things. I could only upload x amount of photos so I’ve pretty much avoided uploading the newer style warehouses which aren’t as interesting.
19th Century
Established in 1891, Standard Fireworks, the UK’s number one firework brand was the brainchild of Yorkshire wholesale draper James Greenhalgh.
Always the entrepreneur James had seen that there was money to be made selling fireworks through his drapery business in the weeks before November 5th – Bonfire Night. The fireworks were mainly made by outworkers, usually local coal miners supplementing their income. Supplies for the fireworks were also brought from China by sea and arrived at Huddersfield by barge.
And so a fireworks manufacturing business had begun in a very small way and was worked alongside a continuing whole sale drapery business.
The site, initially an old stone quarry, was ideal. It provided the space required for making fireworks and had purpose built gunpowder stores used previously in the quarrying business.
During both the First and the Second World Wars firework production switched to munitions and become an essential part of the war effort.
In 1987 Standard Fireworks bought the old established Scottish based Brocks Fireworks Ltd, seeing all fireworks production transferred to Yorkshire. During the 1980’s and 1990’s Standard Fireworks become a major employer in the Yorkshire region with a 500 strong workforce both manufacturing fireworks and office staff.
1998 saw the purchase of Standard Fireworks by the Chinese based Black Cat Fireworks, now part of the largest manufacturer of fireworks in the world. Black Cat Fireworks switched all firework manufacture to China.
Today the Huddersfield site is the UK headquarters for Black Cat Fireworks UK. Our continued dedication and innovation have ensured that Standard Fireworks remains the leading
family favourite firework brand
in the UK.
As we say our goodbyes to our Crosland Hill site, the team now looks forward to a bright future ahead. Our new 50,000 square foot warehousing premises at Dunnington, York provides 7 interconnected warehouse buildings and will serve as the facility for all future distribution. Following the successful process of site licencing and assent, all stock and equipment has already been transferred to the new site in York.
The site now awaits demolition being part of a housing scheme to build 700+ houses.
Still some bits unexplored. I didn’t pay much attention to the newer warehouses on the site. Tried to enter one but appeared locked or I just wasn’t sure how to open the garage style lock. I have drone footage and a few walk around videos which I will attempt to edit at a later date to try to give a better scale of the site.
Manufacturing was moved to China in 1998 hence parts of the site looking very run down from the manufacturing days. These days the site was mainly used for storage, distribution, admin side of things. I could only upload x amount of photos so I’ve pretty much avoided uploading the newer style warehouses which aren’t as interesting.
19th Century
Established in 1891, Standard Fireworks, the UK’s number one firework brand was the brainchild of Yorkshire wholesale draper James Greenhalgh.
Always the entrepreneur James had seen that there was money to be made selling fireworks through his drapery business in the weeks before November 5th – Bonfire Night. The fireworks were mainly made by outworkers, usually local coal miners supplementing their income. Supplies for the fireworks were also brought from China by sea and arrived at Huddersfield by barge.
And so a fireworks manufacturing business had begun in a very small way and was worked alongside a continuing whole sale drapery business.
20th Century
Continued success led to the relocation to its current site at Huddersfield in 1910, where it now covers over 100 acres.The site, initially an old stone quarry, was ideal. It provided the space required for making fireworks and had purpose built gunpowder stores used previously in the quarrying business.
During both the First and the Second World Wars firework production switched to munitions and become an essential part of the war effort.
Standard & Black Cat – 21st Century
Black Cat Fireworks was introduced in the USA in the 1940’s by Li & Fung. Black cats are a symbol of luck and good fortune in China. It is now the oldest and most highly recognised firework brand in the American market.In 1987 Standard Fireworks bought the old established Scottish based Brocks Fireworks Ltd, seeing all fireworks production transferred to Yorkshire. During the 1980’s and 1990’s Standard Fireworks become a major employer in the Yorkshire region with a 500 strong workforce both manufacturing fireworks and office staff.
1998 saw the purchase of Standard Fireworks by the Chinese based Black Cat Fireworks, now part of the largest manufacturer of fireworks in the world. Black Cat Fireworks switched all firework manufacture to China.
Today the Huddersfield site is the UK headquarters for Black Cat Fireworks UK. Our continued dedication and innovation have ensured that Standard Fireworks remains the leading
family favourite firework brand
in the UK.
A New Beginning
It’s an emotional yet exciting time for Standard and Black Cat Fireworks. Earlier this month, we closed the doors of our distribution site in Huddersfield, which has been home to Standard Fireworks for 113 years.As we say our goodbyes to our Crosland Hill site, the team now looks forward to a bright future ahead. Our new 50,000 square foot warehousing premises at Dunnington, York provides 7 interconnected warehouse buildings and will serve as the facility for all future distribution. Following the successful process of site licencing and assent, all stock and equipment has already been transferred to the new site in York.
The site now awaits demolition being part of a housing scheme to build 700+ houses.
Still some bits unexplored. I didn’t pay much attention to the newer warehouses on the site. Tried to enter one but appeared locked or I just wasn’t sure how to open the garage style lock. I have drone footage and a few walk around videos which I will attempt to edit at a later date to try to give a better scale of the site.
