Bristol councillor warns that one of city’s most famous industrial buildings is being lined up for demolition
The Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory in Easton was shut down in 2006 after the company decided to relocate its manufacturing to factories in the UK and in mainland Europe.
The 330,000sq ft factory in Co-Operation Road, Greenbank, had stood since 1901 and local residents, backed by the now-mayor George Ferguson, successfully argued against redevelopment of the closed factory into flats and houses.
It has remained empty ever since but Bristol24-7 has learned that the current owners are considering demolishing the building, thanks to an estimated £300,000 a year bill to maintain it.
Councillor John Kiely has called a public meeting next week to discuss the “hammer blow” news and to find an urgent solution that will save a great example of Bristol’s industrial heritage.
“I am told the agents for the owners say they want to demolish the building because of the costs involved in keeping it safe,” he told Bristol24-7.
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