Breesey
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 14, 2011
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 43
Was driving back from another Surrey explore when I spotted this place. Looked interesting, so I made a note to go back and have another look. The villagers seemed to have a somewhat "this is a local derelict building, for local people" attitude but I perservered.
Shackleford Mushrooms unfortunately closed in 2008, and were declared solvent in 2009 as a result of increased production of mushrooms from overseas - Irish, Dutch and Polish mushrooms all being more attractive to supermarkets. They seemed to have strong links to Tesco's, judging by all the marketing in place being Tesco's related. The closure of the place resulted in 80 people losing their jobs, and another blow to Surreys industry.
The owner, Peter Davies said "Labour costs in Poland for instance are way down on what they are here, so our price has been pretty much fixed. We're caught in the price war, and we just aren't getting any increases in price for our produce."
It seems as though the company was officially incorporated on 25th November 1953 - meaning it was about 55 years old when it closed.
It's hard to find much more information, but it seemed that Large Open mushrooms were their specialty, with their old website having this to say: "The large open mushroom, because of it's maturity, has much more flavour and texture than button mushrooms".
The site is apparently due to turn into a housing development, with at least 9 affordable homes. Therefore, I have no qualms posting these up.
Anyway, on to a very nice relaxing explore on a very nice evening:
So I walked in to find a very surreal building. Turns out it's roof had caved in, but it looked very futuristic!
Causing considerable structural damage.
Very windswept feeling to this place
There was a random caravan in the grounds - looked like it had just been abandoned one day, full of stuff.
The second untouched router I've seen in a derelict building in a week - do pikeys not like fast secure networks?
It's hard to work out, but a company once known as The Southern Mushroom Company is now known as The Organic Mushroom Company (as of 2008), and supplied the likes of Waitrose. They are now based in Peterborough.
Apparently, since 1999 The Southern Mushroom Company (the one at this location) has recieved over £1.5m in EU subsidies, mainly in the form of Operational Funds. However, their last payment was in 2005, which may suggest that the lack of EU assistance was a part of the cause of their downfall. I also discovered the existance of Shackleford Mushrooms Ltd, and Shackleford Mushrooms Holdings Ltd. No idea why this sort of structure would exist, maybe some kind of tax loophole? The holdings company was only opened in 1998.
No-one raided the tampon cabinet?!?!
I couldn't work out what this bit was used for, but there seemed to be accessways under the slats - I thought maybe vehicle repair.
Mushrooms were grown in these sheds - I found plenty of mushroom growing trays, but alas not even a button mushroom was to be found.
Unusual sign to see atop a warehouse...
The aforementioned identity crisis.
So thanks for reading guys. Any questions ask away.
Shackleford Mushrooms unfortunately closed in 2008, and were declared solvent in 2009 as a result of increased production of mushrooms from overseas - Irish, Dutch and Polish mushrooms all being more attractive to supermarkets. They seemed to have strong links to Tesco's, judging by all the marketing in place being Tesco's related. The closure of the place resulted in 80 people losing their jobs, and another blow to Surreys industry.
The owner, Peter Davies said "Labour costs in Poland for instance are way down on what they are here, so our price has been pretty much fixed. We're caught in the price war, and we just aren't getting any increases in price for our produce."
It seems as though the company was officially incorporated on 25th November 1953 - meaning it was about 55 years old when it closed.
It's hard to find much more information, but it seemed that Large Open mushrooms were their specialty, with their old website having this to say: "The large open mushroom, because of it's maturity, has much more flavour and texture than button mushrooms".
The site is apparently due to turn into a housing development, with at least 9 affordable homes. Therefore, I have no qualms posting these up.
Anyway, on to a very nice relaxing explore on a very nice evening:
So I walked in to find a very surreal building. Turns out it's roof had caved in, but it looked very futuristic!
Causing considerable structural damage.
Very windswept feeling to this place
There was a random caravan in the grounds - looked like it had just been abandoned one day, full of stuff.
The second untouched router I've seen in a derelict building in a week - do pikeys not like fast secure networks?
It's hard to work out, but a company once known as The Southern Mushroom Company is now known as The Organic Mushroom Company (as of 2008), and supplied the likes of Waitrose. They are now based in Peterborough.
Apparently, since 1999 The Southern Mushroom Company (the one at this location) has recieved over £1.5m in EU subsidies, mainly in the form of Operational Funds. However, their last payment was in 2005, which may suggest that the lack of EU assistance was a part of the cause of their downfall. I also discovered the existance of Shackleford Mushrooms Ltd, and Shackleford Mushrooms Holdings Ltd. No idea why this sort of structure would exist, maybe some kind of tax loophole? The holdings company was only opened in 1998.
No-one raided the tampon cabinet?!?!
I couldn't work out what this bit was used for, but there seemed to be accessways under the slats - I thought maybe vehicle repair.
Mushrooms were grown in these sheds - I found plenty of mushroom growing trays, but alas not even a button mushroom was to be found.
Unusual sign to see atop a warehouse...
The aforementioned identity crisis.
So thanks for reading guys. Any questions ask away.