The remains of Hartley’s jam factory are tucked away off Long Lane in north Liverpool and would be easy to miss were it not for the tall octagonal chimney.
Some history (https://www.liverpoolpicturebook.com/2012/11/HartleysVillageAintree.html). “The Grade II listed factory was built with workers' housing and recreational facilities nearby. The village had about 49 houses in roads with names such as, Sugar Street and Spice Street. The new works were opened in 1886, a large warehouse was built in 1891, a second in 1899-90, a third in 1923, The factory was self-contained in every respect, and every trade that is necessary was represented in it such as coopers, joiners, box-makers. The jars were made at Melling or St. Helens. All the water needed is pumped by machinery. The factory has its own railway sidings with two locomotives which did all the shunting. In the busy season six trains came in during the day and two hundred wagons were handled. Mr. Hartley chartered his ships and had his own bonded warehouses.”
It was designated a conservation area in 2011 due to “its importance as an example of Victorian manufacturing philanthropy, comprising a purpose-built factory, model village for employees and land for recreation”.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/look-around-hartleys-village-aintree-10990201
There is little left of the original factory complex as the aerial comparison with an old postcard shows.
The main factory buildings at the back were demolished in the 60’s and 70’s. What remains are some of the original sheds and exterior walls, along with the chimney and engine house A, a dining hall B, and two pavilions C and D either side of the main gate. D was the main office. A - D and main gateway are all listed buildings. I’m not aware of pictures of the inside of any of these although there are two reports on here, one limited to externals
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/hartleys-village-walton-liverpool-sept-2012.75296/
and one in which some brave lunatics climbed up a ladder which was attached to the outside of the chimney at the time.
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/hartleys-jam-chimney-aintree-december-2012.76605/
These days most of the sheds are occupied by various businesses, largely car-related (salvage, MOT etc). There is also a rifle range, a pet food shop, a gym, fencing and wood places, a bus hire company operating out of sheds next to the fishing lake, and a cement works where the train lines used to curve in (bits of rail can still be seen). Basically its a busy and rather run-down looking trading estate. My explore was limited to the derelict or largely unused areas.
Beginning with the dining hall, this was most recently occupied by a sofa company - a local told me they moved out about 5 years ago. The section on the far left used to house a piano shop, but the sign seems to have gone.
Starting in the basement and moving up the place is largely empty.
Views from the lift tower.
Moving on to some derelict sheds nearby - yellow tiling seems to be a feature here and elsewhere in the complex.
An old postcard showing the same iron brackets in the sawtooth roofing.
Heading over to the long shed along the back of the complex where the trains went in.
Another old photo of the other end of the shed along with the current view.
Remains of the original signage can still be just about deciphered (HARTLEY’S, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, JELLIES) on the road-side loading bay.
Inside the rail shed.
Next the engine house and chimney. The brick pagoda-like structure next to the chimney was probably for a water tank - there is a ladder up but after some tentative tugs I decided not to climb it. I assume there must have been a boiler and steam engine somewhere nearby, but no sign of these other than some piping and a belt wheel.
Finally into the chimney.
Some history (https://www.liverpoolpicturebook.com/2012/11/HartleysVillageAintree.html). “The Grade II listed factory was built with workers' housing and recreational facilities nearby. The village had about 49 houses in roads with names such as, Sugar Street and Spice Street. The new works were opened in 1886, a large warehouse was built in 1891, a second in 1899-90, a third in 1923, The factory was self-contained in every respect, and every trade that is necessary was represented in it such as coopers, joiners, box-makers. The jars were made at Melling or St. Helens. All the water needed is pumped by machinery. The factory has its own railway sidings with two locomotives which did all the shunting. In the busy season six trains came in during the day and two hundred wagons were handled. Mr. Hartley chartered his ships and had his own bonded warehouses.”
It was designated a conservation area in 2011 due to “its importance as an example of Victorian manufacturing philanthropy, comprising a purpose-built factory, model village for employees and land for recreation”.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/look-around-hartleys-village-aintree-10990201
There is little left of the original factory complex as the aerial comparison with an old postcard shows.
The main factory buildings at the back were demolished in the 60’s and 70’s. What remains are some of the original sheds and exterior walls, along with the chimney and engine house A, a dining hall B, and two pavilions C and D either side of the main gate. D was the main office. A - D and main gateway are all listed buildings. I’m not aware of pictures of the inside of any of these although there are two reports on here, one limited to externals
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/hartleys-village-walton-liverpool-sept-2012.75296/
and one in which some brave lunatics climbed up a ladder which was attached to the outside of the chimney at the time.
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/hartleys-jam-chimney-aintree-december-2012.76605/
These days most of the sheds are occupied by various businesses, largely car-related (salvage, MOT etc). There is also a rifle range, a pet food shop, a gym, fencing and wood places, a bus hire company operating out of sheds next to the fishing lake, and a cement works where the train lines used to curve in (bits of rail can still be seen). Basically its a busy and rather run-down looking trading estate. My explore was limited to the derelict or largely unused areas.
Beginning with the dining hall, this was most recently occupied by a sofa company - a local told me they moved out about 5 years ago. The section on the far left used to house a piano shop, but the sign seems to have gone.
Starting in the basement and moving up the place is largely empty.
Views from the lift tower.
Moving on to some derelict sheds nearby - yellow tiling seems to be a feature here and elsewhere in the complex.
An old postcard showing the same iron brackets in the sawtooth roofing.
Heading over to the long shed along the back of the complex where the trains went in.
Another old photo of the other end of the shed along with the current view.
Remains of the original signage can still be just about deciphered (HARTLEY’S, PRESERVES, MARMALADE, JELLIES) on the road-side loading bay.
Inside the rail shed.
Next the engine house and chimney. The brick pagoda-like structure next to the chimney was probably for a water tank - there is a ladder up but after some tentative tugs I decided not to climb it. I assume there must have been a boiler and steam engine somewhere nearby, but no sign of these other than some piping and a belt wheel.
Finally into the chimney.
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