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Drews Ironmongers, Reading Berkshire - December 2019
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<blockquote data-quote="callumcrom00" data-source="post: 363395" data-attributes="member: 52555"><p>It had taken me a while to do all this research as there isn't much information online about this building.</p><p></p><p>Built in 1871-1877 this means this building would have been one of the first large industrial buildings in the Caversham Road area. It was formally a Malthouse before Drews occupied it from 1977 and was owned by Henry Pendalebury Dowson (Of Castle Street). Mr Dowson owned another 2 Malthouses in Reading, one being on Tudor Road the other Malthouse Lane. Dowson's supplied Simonds Malt (On Bridge Street) until 1903. Drews occupied the site from 1978 until 2018. Before Drews a company Percy Smallbone Motor Engineering Company used the building. The Ghost Sign of the former Motor Engineering Company can be seen from Northfield Road side painted on but slightly faded away over the years. Percy H. Smallbone, motor engineer, came onto the scene in 1925, and his firm was there until 1947. Then came Brown Brothers, described as motor accessories factors, and later as electrical wholesalers. They were there until 1976. Drew’s moved in the next year. Percy Drew started the firm in 1925. The move to Caversham Road, well away from the main shopping area, must have been a risk, but one that paid off. Drew’s reputation went before them, and they always seem to know what you want in the ironmongery, hardware and do-it-yourself line, and to stock it. This one was just something i may as well tick of my urbex list, after finding it very easy to access. Drews Ironmongers was once a tool shop where you use to be able to pop down and buy tools even one screw if needed. The building became abandoned in late 2018 due to the company closing down permanently and is now sitting there quietly to rot away while awaiting for demolition to start. In 2020 the building became Locally Listed as a historical value to Reading.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xk1U][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602166056_355e511c75_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xk1U" target="_blank">Front exterior</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xkDH][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602168191_e527d6703e_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xkDH" target="_blank">Side view</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xVFM][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602282687_b3abda8e9e_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xVFM" target="_blank">Back rear</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6txv8][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601427613_4b222d3ce6_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6txv8" target="_blank">Downstairs shop area</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoX1][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602179286_68e2b06922_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoX1" target="_blank">Checkout desk on the ground floor</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoF4][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602178361_ca341b0c18_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoF4" target="_blank">Downstairs</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xota][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602177671_c25e47f596_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xota" target="_blank">Stairs</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoa9][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602176626_c318f6b09b_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoa9" target="_blank">Upstairs of the store</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xYjC][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602291552_71ef1657f4_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xYjC" target="_blank">Old racks</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyV2][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601432363_e4c7f91a48_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyV2" target="_blank">Upstairs desk</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tz93][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601433118_f4975ecee6_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6tz93" target="_blank">Upstairs desk</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyHJ][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601431708_e91fda1d3f_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyHJ" target="_blank">old shelves</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xXcs][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602287772_721d308794_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xXcs" target="_blank">Staff area</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmQL][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602172196_b633ce7f51_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmQL" target="_blank">Staff room</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmHw][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602171776_0fc7d60abb_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmHw" target="_blank">DIY area</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6ty92][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601429753_9449b8509c_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6ty92" target="_blank">Untitled</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]<img src="http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xWwj][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602285502_bc769800c8_b.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />[/url]<a href="https://flic.kr/p/2k6xWwj" target="_blank">Stairs</a> by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/" target="_blank">Callum Cromwell</a>, on Flickr[/IMG]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="callumcrom00, post: 363395, member: 52555"] It had taken me a while to do all this research as there isn't much information online about this building. Built in 1871-1877 this means this building would have been one of the first large industrial buildings in the Caversham Road area. It was formally a Malthouse before Drews occupied it from 1977 and was owned by Henry Pendalebury Dowson (Of Castle Street). Mr Dowson owned another 2 Malthouses in Reading, one being on Tudor Road the other Malthouse Lane. Dowson's supplied Simonds Malt (On Bridge Street) until 1903. Drews occupied the site from 1978 until 2018. Before Drews a company Percy Smallbone Motor Engineering Company used the building. The Ghost Sign of the former Motor Engineering Company can be seen from Northfield Road side painted on but slightly faded away over the years. Percy H. Smallbone, motor engineer, came onto the scene in 1925, and his firm was there until 1947. Then came Brown Brothers, described as motor accessories factors, and later as electrical wholesalers. They were there until 1976. Drew’s moved in the next year. Percy Drew started the firm in 1925. The move to Caversham Road, well away from the main shopping area, must have been a risk, but one that paid off. Drew’s reputation went before them, and they always seem to know what you want in the ironmongery, hardware and do-it-yourself line, and to stock it. This one was just something i may as well tick of my urbex list, after finding it very easy to access. Drews Ironmongers was once a tool shop where you use to be able to pop down and buy tools even one screw if needed. The building became abandoned in late 2018 due to the company closing down permanently and is now sitting there quietly to rot away while awaiting for demolition to start. In 2020 the building became Locally Listed as a historical value to Reading. [IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xk1U][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602166056_355e511c75_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xk1U]Front exterior[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xkDH][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602168191_e527d6703e_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xkDH]Side view[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xVFM][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602282687_b3abda8e9e_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xVFM]Back rear[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6txv8][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601427613_4b222d3ce6_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6txv8]Downstairs shop area[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoX1][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602179286_68e2b06922_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoX1]Checkout desk on the ground floor[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoF4][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602178361_ca341b0c18_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoF4]Downstairs[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xota][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602177671_c25e47f596_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xota]Stairs[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoa9][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602176626_c318f6b09b_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xoa9]Upstairs of the store[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xYjC][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602291552_71ef1657f4_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xYjC]Old racks[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyV2][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601432363_e4c7f91a48_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyV2]Upstairs desk[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tz93][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601433118_f4975ecee6_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tz93]Upstairs desk[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyHJ][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601431708_e91fda1d3f_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6tyHJ]old shelves[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xXcs][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602287772_721d308794_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xXcs]Staff area[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmQL][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602172196_b633ce7f51_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmQL]Staff room[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmHw][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602171776_0fc7d60abb_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xmHw]DIY area[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6ty92][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50601429753_9449b8509c_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6ty92]Untitled[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG][IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xWwj][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50602285502_bc769800c8_b.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2k6xWwj]Stairs[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/188536267@N04/]Callum Cromwell[/url], on Flickr[/IMG] [/QUOTE]
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Drews Ironmongers, Reading Berkshire - December 2019
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