Stevenson's Dyers, Derbyshire - 2008/2010

[thompski]

Once upon a time in 2008, I was bored and with another chap decided to mooch around Derbyshire to find something to do. We ended up in Ambergate, in the Derwent valley and decided to pay a visit to Stevenson's Dyers.



The dye works was established at the start of the 20th century. At it's peak in the 1970s it was the European leader in dye production, with 1400 employees and clients such as Marks and Spencers. Cheap foreign competition brought about its demise in 2006.



Despite it's impressive history, from an exploration perspective it was pretty uninspiring, lacking the 'epicz' and 'win' which the contemporary explorer requires from everything he or she does.



Until recently.



Demolition of the factory began in 2009, however strangely it stopped partway through - today it resembles an apocalyptic waste ground, much like Steetley in Hartlepool however in the middle of rural Derbyshire.

2008


2010 - same building, opposite direction


It also appears the surviving buildings are no longer looked after, leaving the site subjected to local kids and pikies. One of the sealed buildings, the laboratory is one of these buildings, and recently offered some redemption for the largely uninspiring visit two years earlier.











Sadly, less desirable elements have caused considerable damage to this building since my visit... it's worth a look but I wouldn't dedicate a long trip just for this.

[boxfrenzy]

Nice stuff mate, beofre and after shots cool

[skin]

Thats pretty nice - the labs are good.

[converse1]

Love the labs.

[MJS]

That Bunsen burner shot is ace, love the bokeh