Bridon Wireworks ltd
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Bridon Ropes was originally called Richard Johnson & Nephew. And dates back to 1876 when the wire works first opened.
The company specialized in mainly Telegraph wires and fencing. but had a whole array of other products. The company also put in a tender for the Brooklyn Bridge. And had a hand in producing cables for the miles of cables laid under the English Channel during WWII.
In its hey day the wire works employed over 500 people. Bridon took over the site in 1990 and renamed the wire works to Bridon Ropes, Johnson & Nephew Wire Works ltd.
The site in Ambergate is vast. The factory extends a quarter of a mile in length. And is split between a river, doubling the size of the wire works.
Within the works is a self contained power plant as well as houses and cottages. Sadly these are in a bad state of disrepair.
Despite Bridon making some of the finest cables and wires in the world they eventually closed the Ambergate works down in 2001.
With the natural decay that has taken over, you would think some parts had been closed for well over 20 years.
The second part of the site is still very much active and was purchased by the Lichfield Group shortly after Bridon sold the site in 2001. It is now there headquarters.
Alongside the Lichfield Group. LB Plastics also occupy the site and produce plastic products. Although much of the area is used more for storage space than anything else.
Its highly unlikely that the derelict section of the works will ever be restored or indeed used as a work place again. The cost of renovating would be astronomical given the state some of the buildings are in.
The majority of the site is occupied by huge empy voids. This actually creates its character and atmosphere though. Oil and machine grease dominate the walls and floors, which is occasionaly broken up by undergrowth. Which has started creeping in through the windows and floor.
The look and feel of the wire works is quite unique. Ambient light seeps through the discolored skylights which makes for creating some very photogenic opportunities.
Although the wire works has a lab filled with old testing equipment and documents. Its the huge empty voids that are the most inspiring traits the site has to offer.
