Handsworth Dairies
Island Road Handsworth Birmingham
( Deceased August 1999 )
Rationalisation and reorganisation of the dairy industry during 1998/99 forced the closure of the Handsworth Dairies, Island Road, production site.
During its production life the site was very much a local dairy with doorstep and shop deliveries in and around Birmingham and the Black country. Surprisingly, it also exported butter to the Caribbean, UHT milk to the Middle East and also supplied some of the main chain supermarkets throughout Great Britain.
Ultimately the sign makers, stationary printers and T-shirt manufactures were the real winners. The site passed from the family owned company of Birmingham Dairies, to Avonmore Dairies, Avonmore & Waterford Group, Glanbia PLC and finally Express Dairies PLC, who brought down the final curtain.
None of the companies were to blame for the closure, it was just time, place and circumstance that closed the site. In fact all companies invested in the site, except Express Dairies who had the decency to end the suffering and constant wondering and misery of the employees. They at least made there intentions known at the outset of the take over.
The following is a small collection of photographs from various sources. Sadly they only reflect the later years of a long and distinguished history of the dairy. Most of the historic old photographs were thrown away when the site was cleared. If you have any photographs, ( and i know there are plenty about !) sort them out and I'll add them to the list.
Any pics or comments: [email protected]
