Fisons Prentice and Packard, Suffolk 15

The Old Fisons site was originally the location for the first ever complete superphosphate factory. In the mid 19th century, the increasing demand for new effective fertilisers for agriculture led to a search for a substitute for crushed bones, the traditional source of fertiliser. Edward Packard discovered that the use of fossil dung, found across East Anglia, contained high levels of phosphate, the ideal base for fertiliser.
Between 1851 and 1854, Packard built a warehouse at Paper Mill Lane and pioneered the production of artificial fertilisers for horticulture on an industrial scale. It was an ideal site due to the combination of the River Gipping, which was navigable by barges between Ipswich and Stowmarket from the late 18th century onwards, and the addition of the railway line in 1846 which both provided the means to import raw materials and export fertilisers.
Edward Packard was joined in 1858 by Joseph Fison who constructed his chemical works opposite – the North Warehouse. The lower two floors of this iconic warehouse date from this time and were used for bagging and storage and are identified on early Ordnance Survey maps as the Eastern Union Works, proving the North Warehouse was purpose-built and directly associated with the production of superphosphates.
This was a first for me, a solo explore in a huge building. The light in this place was amazing, hope you enjoy my pics....

Very nice too Shuckie,some of they floors look a bit suspect though

oldscrote said:

Very nice too Shuckie,some of they floors look a bit suspect though

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Oh believe me scrote they were, I stuck rigidly to the beams and outsides

Very nice - I drove past that last year, I wish I'd stopped now. Did you see the old steam engine in someones front garden nearby?

UE-OMJ said:

Very nice - I drove past that last year, I wish I'd stopped now. Did you see the old steam engine in someones front garden nearby?

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No I missed that, I may have to go back and have another look!

Great report mate loving the old sack barrow well done mate

Amazing structure,love the green carpet and indoor garden!Ace images.

Really nice, I hope you had good tread on your boots it looks a bit slippery, I enjoyed it, Thanks

smiler said:

Really nice, I hope you had good tread on your boots it looks a bit slippery, I enjoyed it, Thanks

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I did indeed, I have to say, the first wasn't too bad, The top was like tissue paper!

Fantastic place, ace pix.

Love this place, it's not going to last much longer though is it. Iron frame with wooden cladding... curious.

flyboys90 said:

Amazing structure,love the green carpet and indoor garden!Ace images.

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Thanks Flyboys, I just wish the floor was a bit safer!

krela said:

Love this place, it's not going to last much longer though is it. Iron frame with wooden cladding... curious.

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It was built in 1854 to 1856 Krela. Literally cast iron columns supporting wooden floorboard floors about the size of scaffolding deals. Spread out over three floors each with a system of wooden staircases, and access ramps for vehicles of some sort. Reminded me somewhat of a train shed or one of those northern cotton or wool mills!. Not the sort of building that's common in East Anglia. The building is massive in scale.

Lovely stuff BS
and well done for giving it a go solo....
it's a completely different experience being in a place like that on your own

The Wombat said:

Lovely stuff BS
and well done for giving it a go solo....
it's a completely different experience being in a place like that on your own

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You're telling me Wombat, it's the first large explore I've done by myself. Certainly different, every little sound was amplified tenfold, or so it seemed!

Fantastic stuff as usual Shuck!
Those floors
That moss is awesome tho.
Fantastic photos as usual, thanks for sharing

Great report I enjoyed that - Looks like the fertiliser worked well on the floors!

UrbanX said:

Fantastic stuff as usual Shuck!
Those floors
That moss is awesome tho.
Fantastic photos as usual, thanks for sharing

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Thanks X! I was a tad nervy being on my tod but I think it's amazing. Seems like my senses were on overload. Every noise the wind made, rattled round the building, creaks and groans everywhere!

gingrove said:

Great report I enjoyed that - Looks like the fertiliser worked well on the floors!

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Thanks Gingrove, I couldn't believe the little aboretum in the corner, talk about luck!... Those colours certainly stood out!