19 - Site of the Shredded Wheat Factory

19 - Site of the Shredded Wheat Factory

The Shredded Wheat factory, designed by Louis de Sossions, opened in 1925 with one hundred workers, many young women who packed the cereal by hand. The original building became a landmark for the town and is now Grade II listed together with the silos. The factory ceased production in 2008 after 83 years. In January 2012 a planning application by Tesco for a large superstore on the site was rejected by the council. The site is at present under development by the Wheat Quarter.

Shredded Wheat factory with main entrance facing Broadwater Road - an early photograph showing the building prior to the construction of the grain silos.
Shredded Wheat factory with main entrance facing Broadwater Road - an early photograph showing the building prior to the construction of the grain silos.
Shredded Wheat factory - first set of grain silos photographed in August 1927.
Shredded Wheat factory - first set of grain silos photographed in August 1927.
Shredded Wheat factory interior - photograph dated 1926 showing the packing line with a panner (on right) feeding a pan of 'biscuits' onto the conveyor.
Shredded Wheat factory interior - photograph dated 1926 showing the packing line with a panner (on right) feeding a pan of 'biscuits' onto the conveyor.
Postcard image showing the expansion of Shredded Wheat factory complex
Postcard image showing the expansion of Shredded Wheat factory complex.

You have now reached the last stop on the Welwyn Garden Heritage Trust Peartree Town Trail. If you completed the whole trail we hope you have enjoyed finding out more about the town's heritage. If you wish to find out more about Welwyn Garden City heritage please visit www.welwyngarden-heritage.org.

However, if you missed some of the earlier stops or want to repeat the trail, then follow the map below to get to the start (find the QR code or click here to find the first location details).

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