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Iv been hanging on to this for a while now but think u guys may appreciate a look!
Not exactly a sneaky explore, I have worked for Billson's on & off for over 20 yrs, joining them part way through my apprenticeship, completing this in fabrication then going on to be an erector for them for 7 years or so. I left for a while then returned as general manager 11 years ago now!
Please don't make any attempt to enter here yourself as we still own the site, pm me & I may be able to arrange a visit if interested.
We moved production from these Sackville st premises a year & a half ago, but have been using the site for storage (amazingly its took us near enough this time to move everything useful out) but its pretty much cleared now & negotiations on its sale are in progress.
History
Billson's is around 180 years old!
yes you read that correctly, it was started as a blacksmiths in the town centre of Kettering by the Billson family, it was first registered in the mid 1800 but I have it on good authority that it was running way before this date.
The company is still owned by a descendent of Mr Billson & has recently been handed over to the youngest member of the family.
The council forcefully moved us to the Sackville St site in the 1950's as part of the town centre redevelopment.
The site was never exactly ideal being wedged at the bottom of a terrace road and opposite a school, access for 40ft artic with a 15m steel on was er interesting.
History of the building itself is a little hazy, it is believed the main warehouse was originally built for the manufacture of traction engines!
This is a likely scenario as its has very railwayesq windows & a (annoyingly) narrow tall doorway. There is no evidence of a railway ever going to this area of town either.
The rest of the buildings are a ramshackle affair of part steel workshops & wooden offices.
Its a bit pic heavy but hope you enjoy
IMG_6896 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6958 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6891 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6920 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6915 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6921 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6927 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6884 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6885 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6906 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6903 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6900 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6901 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6912 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6914 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6916 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6930 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6936 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6937 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6943 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6949 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6947 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6952 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6950 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6960 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_9365 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6967 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
Not exactly a sneaky explore, I have worked for Billson's on & off for over 20 yrs, joining them part way through my apprenticeship, completing this in fabrication then going on to be an erector for them for 7 years or so. I left for a while then returned as general manager 11 years ago now!
Please don't make any attempt to enter here yourself as we still own the site, pm me & I may be able to arrange a visit if interested.
We moved production from these Sackville st premises a year & a half ago, but have been using the site for storage (amazingly its took us near enough this time to move everything useful out) but its pretty much cleared now & negotiations on its sale are in progress.
History
Billson's is around 180 years old!
yes you read that correctly, it was started as a blacksmiths in the town centre of Kettering by the Billson family, it was first registered in the mid 1800 but I have it on good authority that it was running way before this date.
The company is still owned by a descendent of Mr Billson & has recently been handed over to the youngest member of the family.
The council forcefully moved us to the Sackville St site in the 1950's as part of the town centre redevelopment.
The site was never exactly ideal being wedged at the bottom of a terrace road and opposite a school, access for 40ft artic with a 15m steel on was er interesting.
History of the building itself is a little hazy, it is believed the main warehouse was originally built for the manufacture of traction engines!
This is a likely scenario as its has very railwayesq windows & a (annoyingly) narrow tall doorway. There is no evidence of a railway ever going to this area of town either.
The rest of the buildings are a ramshackle affair of part steel workshops & wooden offices.
Its a bit pic heavy but hope you enjoy
IMG_6896 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6958 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6891 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6920 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6915 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6921 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6927 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6884 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6885 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6906 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6903 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6900 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6901 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6912 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6914 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6916 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6930 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6936 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6937 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6943 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6949 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6947 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6952 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6950 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6960 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_9365 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr
IMG_6967 by Bikin Glynn, on Flickr