Urgent work needed to save important part of Victorian industrial history
Grade II-listed, 1858-60, architect unknown
Fison’s Fertiliser Factory was commissioned by Joseph Fison in 1858 to take advantage of the surge in demand for superphosphate fertiliser, which was synthesised for the first time in the 1840s. The world’s first superphosphate factory had been built immediately to the south of the building in 1851 and Fison determined to take advantage of established supply networks to outstrip his competition. This complex has since been lost, and now the north warehouse of Fison’s is all that remains of early industrial fertiliser production in Britain. Since the factory ceased production in 2003, redevelopment plans have been approved but no progression has been made and the building – which still maintains many of its original features including external weatherboarding, cast iron pillars supporting heavy timber beams, and wooden floors – continues to deteriorate, with large holes appearing more frequently in the roof and walls, and almost all the windows are partially or completely smashed. Urgent work is needed in the short-term to secure these buildings, which have been the victim of at least three fires in the last two years, while a long-term redevelopment plan is sought.
Christopher Costelloe, The Victorian Society Director, said: ‘It’s a sad site to see what such an important part of Victorian industrial history has been reduced to. Fison’s Fertiliser Factory is in a very sorry state but action can still be taken to secure and revitalise the North Warehouse buildings. There is currently a petition in place which we encourage people to sign, and hope that increased publicity will mean the redevelopment does not suffer any more delay’.
Status Update / March 2026
After a fire in 2023, one of the burned-out buildings was demolished to deter arsonists from entering the compound and improved security measures were put in place. The local authority has been working behind the scenes for several years with the site owner to preserve any remaining heritage and is currently offering advice over potential development options.