Royal Oak Breweries.

Royal Oak Breweries opened in 1877 and was originaly just a pub, the rest of the brewery was added at later dates.

Whitbreads brewed the last batch of beer here in 1957 and then sadly the brewery closed.

Since the closure of the brewery the site has been occupied by various businesses over the years including the Mineral Water Manufactory.

The site is currently being converted by Equity housing group into 51residetial flats, unfortunatley the chimney, engine room and mineral water building are going to be demolished.

With the place being converted Cyclone and myself decided to pay the place a visit before its too late, seems they haven`t wasted any time in putting the new plans for the place underway.

The inside has been completely gutted and I mean gutted there are no traces of it ever being a brewery, which is a shame.

After searching every room and floor the only things we found there was a washing machine and fridge in what appears to be the kitchen or canteen area, apart from that the remainder of the site is completely bare.

Since myself and Cyclone originally visited here it seems Equity Housing have not wasted any time with starting the conversion.

The catwalk and loading bay with glass roof is now gone, in its place are deep cuts in the concrete from where the diggers have dragged the remains across the floor.

The old engine room has also fell victim to the demolition ball as the complete roofing section has gone on here too, which is a shame.

The only parts we know that will not be destroyed are the chimney and old factory section which will be the apartment block.

Myself and Cyclone first explored here back in June 2007 after seeing the scaffolding an demolition notices being erected.

Since our original visit things have changed considerably, the chimney which was to stay has been demolished along with the old factory section, the only sign of the brewerys past identity is the Royal Oak sign that still sits high above the main entrance to the site

It will be curious to see how the final development turns out though, just a shame that the key features that made the place have been destroyed in the process.