The John Summers Steelworks in Shotton, Wales was built in 1907 and is Grade II-listed.
Grade II-listed, 1907, James France
Originally based in Staylbridge in Manchester, John Summers & Sons decided to move their operations to the River Dee in 1896, on account of the cheapness of the land, the abundant supply of water, and the good rail links to Liverpool and Birkenhead. A new steelworks was commissioned for the new site, outside Shotton, and an office block followed in 1907, notable for its unusual art nouveau detailing, its innovative use of ochre terracotta, and its confident turreted clock tower. This building still stands today, and recent research suggests that the grand central staircase was the same model used for the Titanic. Ownership of the steelworks was transferred to British Steel Corporation in 1967, to Corus in 1999, and then to Tata Steel in 2007, but the offices are now vacant, with its highly industrial location making its reuse complicated. To make matters worse, the building is subject to regular break-ins and vandalism, and is now in a poor state of repair. Surely a developer can come up with a new use for the building, showcasing its architectural significance in a creative and sensitive way.
Status Update / March 2026
The site was taken on by an auction house in 2020, who initially planned to save part of the building and convert it for commercial use. By 2023, it became apparent that many of the buildings and particularly the clock tower would not survive another winter, with water ingress from a damaged roof eroding the historical significance of the building, so the developer committed to the renovation of the entire site. The multi-million pound investment programme will see the office buildings restored to incorporate retail units, community gardens, and a museum area offering regular guided tours of the site.