Wolverhampton's Architectural Heritage

Places of Work

Factories / Workhouses

When considering the architecture of buildings, it is easy to overlook factories. Due to their nature they are often thought of as buildings of function and use rather than decoration. This section however aims to show that not all factories in Wolverhampton and the surrounding area were dull and without character.

Wolverhampton Workhouse

extract from Isaac Taylor Map 1750

One of Wolverhampton's first workhouses was built in 1700 on what was then Old Mill Lane off Horseley Fields - it can be clearly seen. marked on Isaac Taylor's 1750 map. The workhouse remained until its closure in 1839, after a new workhouse had been built on Bilston Road. The old workhouse building remained and was later occupied by Chubb & Sons Lock and Safe Co. Ltd.

Wolverhampton Workhouse 1913 (L6/CHU/E/2)

The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 urged that all able-bodied paupers were now only allowed to receive relief during times of hardship at Poor Law Union workhouses. Although workhouses were already in use across the country before 1834, they had only played a secondary role in providing assistance to the poor. In the 19th century the workhouse was intended to be a deterrent to the poor, and the 'workhouse test' compelled inmates to accept living standards below those of the worst paid independent labourer. The working-classes had several different names they used when referring to the Union Workhouses, such as "The Union House", "The Union", or most common of all, simply "The House". The workhouses were also more ominously known as "The Bastille" or "Old Basty", names which derived from the poor's popular belief that workhouses were like prisons. One Assistant Commissioner, when referring to the already established workhouses, used this popular belief and claimed that the new unions had the job of making their workhouses as 'wholesomely repulsive' as possible. Apart from the meagre provisions of the workhouse, entry into them also meant separation from other family members, the segregation of the sexes, monotonous labour and a strict and regimented lifestyle.

Chubb & Son's Lock & Safe Co Ltd

Chubb Building c. 1913 (L6/CHU/E/1)

When travelling to Wolverhampton by rail, one of the finest buildings is the Chubb Building. This large brick structure, situated in Railway Street, dominates the approach to the city centre.

Jeremiah Chubb arrived in Wolverhampton to open a lock-making factory in 1818. In 1820 he opened a factory in Temple Street, and in 1836 moved to St James' Square. In 1838 the works moved to Railway Street on the site of the Old Workhouse.

In 1899 a new lock works was built in Railway Street, an imposing 6-storey brick building with its name in white glazed brick.

Click on the image to enlarge

Interior of Chubb Building 1898 (L6/CHU/I/2)

The company moved to premises on the Wednesfield Road at Heath Town in 1938. The building is now used as a leisure and media centre.

James Baker & Sons Ltd

James Baker & Sons Ltd was founded in 1850 to make boots and shoes. A factory was erected at the junction of Cleveland Road, Vicarage Road and Powlett Street. It consisted of 3-storey buildings facing Cleveland Road serving as the main entrance, showrooms and workshops with the employee entrance in Powlett Street.

James Baker Boot and Shoe Factory 1898 (L6/BAK/E/3)

James Baker Boot and Shoe Factory, Powlett Street Entrance 1975 (L6/BAK/E/1)

James Baker Boot and Shoe Factory c. 1898 (L6/BAK/I/1)

By 1897 the company was making 341,000 pairs of boots and shoes a year.

The factory closed in the 1970's.