When Westley Richards Moved Premises...

[Vikram]

Look what they left behind!

Westley Richards has been in the business for the last 200 years. They moved their premises in 2008 to the present address. Someone who has a great interest in the history of Birmingham took the pains of putting together these very interesting photos. I have no copyright to any of the photos here and all are found on this web page given below. Hope you enjoy looking at these photos.

For what they look like today click here

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/ind ... ngham.html

William Westley Richards set up his gun making business in 1812 "To be a maker of as good a gun as can be made". On the way to achieving that ambition, the company has also been responsible for a remarkable series of inventions that have set new standards in gun design.

Westley Richards' commitment to innovation is matched only by its dedication to superb craftsmanship. The company's standards of manufacture go far beyond those of precision engineering, and every part of every gun is made, finished and fitted with faultless accuracy.

It is nearly two centuries since Westley Richards was established in Birmingham. Today, it thrives as a family-run business, occupying an impressive purpose-built gun-making factory and retail premises.

Best-
Vikram

[Sakobav]

Great Vikkers like an archaeologist visiting a great place or workshop of bygone era...Birmingham is and was a great industrial center combined with Coventry etc..Your earlier pictures of present facility is a great read again with pictures and narrative Thanks

Cheers

[Grumpy]

Such a shame that these premises were demolished to make way for the Selly Oak relief road.....
Birmingham seems hell-bent on destroying all traces of it`s gunmaking history - there are very few of the gunmakers premises left now ..... How long before the former William Powell, Carrs Lane, premises are demolished ?

[herb]

Very interesting and touching. Time takes its toll on everything.

Thanks for sharing Vikram,
Herbert

[Grumpy]

True - but if you aid time by destroying history you are destroying your heritage also.
What has happened and is happening to the Birmingham Gun Quarter is incredibly sad and extremely short-sighted.
Next, I expect they`ll be wanting to knock down the Birmingham Proof House to make way for a new road or a supermarket ..... that will be the final straw.

[Grumpy]

Vikram, I`ve just realised that you omitted the photograph of the employees vulgar graffiti ! lol.

[Vikram]

What is happening to the Gun Quarter in Birmingham is a disgrace. I walked through the place a good many times and every time I was there, they were bringing down something.

How long before the former William Powell, Carrs Lane, premises are demolished ?

I took these photos in July,2010. Wonder what could have happened since then.

I`ve just realised that you omitted the photograph of the employees vulgar graffiti ! lol.

We being a family oriented site and all....


Best-
Vikram

[Grumpy]

I`m surprised that Powells didn`t take the lintel name `board` with them when they left.
The building dates from 1860 and is grade II listed I`ve just discovered and is currently a shop selling clothes/shoes/bed linen/toys etc. Apparently the fitted work-benches and shooting tunnel are still in place.