EPW019686 ENGLAND (1927). The Branston Artificial Silk Works (formerly the Branston Food Preserve Works), Branston, 1927

The Branston Silk factory was opened in 1927 as the 'Branston Artificial Silk Company' by a Mr Martin Coles Harman to produce Viscose Rayon.

It was not as successful as was hoped by Mr Harman and his backers, it was hoped to employ over 4,000 but at its peak only employed around 500.

(The factory was originally the Crosse & Blackwell 'Branston' pickle factory).



The Branston Artificial Silk Company ceased production in 1930 and the factory closed; the M o D eventually taking it over as a store and distribution centre.



I would imagine that as Mr Harman had 'poached' several of his senior employees from Courtaulds that they, Courtaulds, would not have taken that lightly and would have done all within their power to bring down the Branston upstarts; Courtaulds being the largest viscose manufacturers in Europe, if not the world at that time (the late 20's).

Great early view of regatta lane Allotments