Old Vinyl Factory

The Old Vinyl Factory
The Old Vinyl Factory
	View of the former headquarters (left) and Enterprise House on Blyth Road
	Location within the London Borough of Hillingdon Old Vinyl Factory (Greater London)
Former names	EMI Laboratories
Alternative names	EMI Buildings
General information
Address	Blyth Road
Town or city	Hayes
Country	United Kingdom
Coordinates	51°30′19″N0°25′33″W / 51.505278°N 0.425833°W
Groundbreaking	9 February 1907
Renovation cost	£250m (projected)
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Wallis, Gilbert and Partners
Renovating team
Renovating firm	U + I Group
Website
	The Old Vinyl Factory

Last updated February 18, 2024

The Old Vinyl Factory is a complex of buildings formerly owned by the British music company EMI in Hayes, within the London Borough of Hillingdon. The site was originally purchased by Gramophone and Typewriter Ltd and the buildings were designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners in the early 20th century.

In April 2011 the site was purchased for redevelopment by a joint venture of Cathedral Group PLC and Development Securities plc (now U + I Group). Under plans for £250 million of works, the site, covering 17 acres (6.9 ha),^[1] is to include commercial and residential units and a university technical college.

History

The Gramophone and Typewriter Ltd, the precursor to EMI, purchased the site in the early 20th century and began constructing the first buildings in 1907. The company had originally sold gramophones and discs imported from the US, and began making its own recordings in London in 1898.^[2] These were pressed at a factory in Hanover, Germany, until the Hayes Record Factory opened. From 1910, records bore the His Master's Voice label. The tenor Edward Lloyd took part in the groundbreaking ceremony.^[3] Vinyl records were produced from 1952.^[4]

What became the Cabinet Building was opened in 1911, after the Italian soprano Luisa Tetrazzini laid the cornerstone. The following year, a head office was built nearby on the site. During the First World War, the factory was used for the production of munitions.^[3]

During the period 1927–29, the site was further extended with alterations and additions designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners.^[5] The site covered 58 acres (23 ha) by 1929 and 7,500 people were employed across it.^[3]

The factories again returned to the production of munitions during the Second World War, as well as domestic radio receivers, which were marketed with some adaptations to households by the Home Office for £12. The site was bombed on 7 July 1944, killing 37 employees.^[3]

In 1952, EMI began the production of "microgroove" records, made of vinyl rather than the shellac-based compound used for earlier records. Artists of the time – including the Beatles,^[6] the Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard and Pink Floyd – had their vinyl records produced at the site.^[7] Production reached its peak in the 1960s at the Hayes site, which covered 150 acres (61 ha) and saw 14,000 people in work there.^[1]

In the 1970s, EMI moved its record-pressing operations to a different site, still within Hayes,^[3] and many of the buildings on the site moved over to defence electronics development and production.^[8]

Redevelopment

The former head office building on the corner of Blyth Road and Trevor Road was converted to self-contained flats in around 2000 and was not part of the main project site. This is also true of Enterprise House.

The site was purchased in April 2011 by Purplexed, a joint venture between Cathedral Group PLC and Development Securities plc. The purchasers renamed the site "The Old Vinyl Factory" (from "London Gate Business Park"). The buildings on the site were renamed according to their former functions – one example being the "Shipping Building", which was where records were stored before being dispatched. Purplexed stated the redevelopment would cost around £250 million and that the company would give £40,000 to the London Borough of Hillingdon to cover the cost of putting the plan together.^[9]

A seven-storey block of flats was announced as part of the development in February 2012. Its name, the Gatefold Building, was chosen as an allusion to the gatefold sleeves of some vinyl records.^[10] Planning permission for the building was granted in February 2012.^[9]

The master plan for the entire site was approved by Hillingdon Council on 30 November 2012. It includes a new building, known as "The Picturehouse", which will house a cinema. There will also be offices, 500 flats, a museum, restaurants, landscaped areas and playgrounds.^[11]

By February 2015, Sonos, Host Europe Group and CHAMP Cargosystems had signed agreements to occupy the Shipping Building.^[12]

The Global Academy secondary school opened in 2016 on the site originally planned as "The Picturehouse". The "Gatefold Building" was completed by late 2016. In March 2017 a multi storey car park dubbed "The Music Box" was under construction at the west end of the site near Dawley Road and Bourne Bridge.

At the east end of the site and not officially part of the project are Paradigm Housing's 'The Stylus' on the former Damont Audio plot, as well as Bellway's 'Bluenote' which is the former Electropatent plot. Both of these projects will be of similar function to the rest of the redevelopment area with commercial units at ground level with residential above.

In autumn 2019, work was underway at the Powerhouse to create an innovation hub. Planning permission had been secured for 1 Vinyl Square on the plot West of the Global Academy, and permission was being sought for the Assembly Buildings completion.

Related Research Articles

Ickenham is an area in Greater London, forming the northern part of Uxbridge and within the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Uxbridge is a suburban town in west London and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. Situated 15.4 miles (24.8 km) west-northwest of Charing Cross, it is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. Uxbridge formed part of the parish of Hillingdon in the county of Middlesex, and was a significant local commercial centre from an early time. As part of the suburban growth of London in the 20th century it expanded and increased in population, becoming a municipal borough in 1955, and has formed part of Greater London since 1965.

Yiewsley is a large suburban village in the London Borough of Hillingdon, England, 2 miles (3 km) south of Uxbridge, the borough's commercial and administrative centre. Yiewsley was a chapelry in the ancient parish of Hillingdon, Middlesex. The population of the ward was 12,979 at the 2011 Census.

The London Borough of Hillingdon is the largest and westernmost borough in West London, England. It was formed in 1965 from the districts of Hayes and Harlington, Ruislip-Northwood, Uxbridge, and Yiewsley and West Drayton in the ceremonial county of Middlesex. Today, Hillingdon is home to Heathrow Airport and Brunel University, and is the second largest of the 32 London boroughs by area.

Hayes is a town in west London. Historically situated within the county of Middlesex, it is now part of the London Borough of Hillingdon. The town's population, including its localities Hayes End, Harlington and Yeading, was recorded in the 2021 census as 93,928. It is situated 13 miles (21 km) west of Charing Cross, or 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east of Slough. Hayes is served by the Great Western Main Line, and Hayes & Harlington railway station is on the Elizabeth line. The Grand Union Canal flows through the town centre.

RAF Uxbridge was a Royal Air Force (RAF) station in Uxbridge, within the London Borough of Hillingdon, occupying a 44.6-hectare (110-acre) site that originally belonged to the Hillingdon House estate. The British Government purchased the estate in 1915, three years before the founding of the RAF. Until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the station was open to the public.

Sunrise Records and Entertainment, trading as HMV, is a British based music and entertainment retailer, currently operating in the European countries of Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom

Hillingdon is an area of Uxbridge within the London Borough of Hillingdon, centred 14.2 miles (22.8 km) west of Charing Cross. It was an ancient parish in Middlesex that included the market town of Uxbridge. During the 1920s the civil parish bore a rapid, planned increase in population and housing, and was absorbed by Uxbridge Urban District in 1929. It has formed part of Greater London since 1965.

Hillingdon Hospital is an hospital in Hillingdon, London. It is one of two hospitals run by The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the other being Mount Vernon Hospital.

Project MoDEL is a project run for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) by the ministry's Defence Infrastructure Organisation and VSM Estates, a joint venture established between Vinci PLC and St. Modwen Properties to bid for the contract. The project involves the consolidation and sale of surplus Ministry of Defence properties around Greater London into around £180m of new developments at RAF Northolt. A total of 80% of the existing buildings at RAF Northolt were demolished and replaced by the newly built facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uxbridge College</span> Further education school in Uxbridge, Greater London, England

Uxbridge College is a large general further education college in the London Borough of Hillingdon. In 2017 the college has been merged with Harrow College and in 2023, Richmond upon Thames College became the latest member of the group as they merged to form Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge College (HRUC), although the colleges retain their individual identities. It has two campuses, in Uxbridge and in Hayes. Harrow College & Uxbridge College (HCUC) jointly had over 7,900 learners as of 2019, the majority of which were on 16-19 study programmes and a majority based at the Uxbridge campus.

The Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex is a leisure centre in Uxbridge, operated by Fusion Lifestyle on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon. The complex is centred on the Grade II listed outdoor swimming pool, known as Uxbridge Lido until 2010, when the newly built centre and refurbished pool were opened. A new indoor pool was built beside the lido as part of the redevelopment works, opening in February 2010, followed a day later by the outdoor pool.

Hillingdon House is a Grade II listed mansion in Hillingdon, Greater London. The original house was built in 1717 as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Schomberg. It was destroyed by fire and the present house was built in its place in 1844.

Highgrove House, also known as High Grove House or High Grove, is a Grade II listed mansion in the suburban area of Eastcote, within the London Borough of Hillingdon. Originally built in 1750 by the Reverend John Lidgould, the house was rebuilt in 1881 by Sir Hugh Hume-Campbell following a catastrophic fire. Along with Haydon Hall and Eastcote House, Highgrove was one of the three main houses of Eastcote and eventually became a residential hostel for homeless families, run by the local council from the 1960s until 2007. An area of the estate was sold to the local council in 1935 by the then-owner Eleanor Warrender to become what is now Warrender Park. In 1975, the house was granted Grade II listed status on account of its special architectural character.

The Chimes is a shopping centre in Uxbridge, within the London Borough of Hillingdon, owned by the Malaysian pension fund Kumpulan Persaan. Opened in February 2001, the centre includes 71 stores, cafes and restaurants, including Boots, H&M and Next as anchor stores. A multi-screen Odeon cinema with an IMAX screen is also part of the centre. A number of existing old buildings in Uxbridge High Street were restored and incorporated into the new shopping centre, which was designed with the intention of it blending into its surroundings.

Lake Farm Country Park is an expanse of green belt land approximately 60 acres in size fringed by trees and the Grand Union Canal, situated in the south of Hayes in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Its formal status as a country park dates back to September 2002.

Barra Hall Park is an 11.06-hectare (27.3-acre) formal park situated near the centre of Hayes in the ward of Wood End in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The park came into existence in December 1923.

The Norman Leddy Memorial Gardens in Hayes is one of Hillingdon Borough's designated gardens of excellence. In September 2010, the Gardens earned a gold award for Best London Small Park in the London in Bloom competition.

References

1 2 "The Old Vinyl Factory". Cathedral Group PLC. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
↑ For the Record, No 32, pp434-5.
1 2 3 4 5 "History of the Old Vinyl Factory". The Old Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
↑ Peter Martland, EMI Since Records Began, Batsford, 1997
↑ Skinner, Joan (1997). Form and Fancy: Factories and Factory Buildings by Wallis, Gilbert & Partners, 1916-1939 . Liverpool University Press. ISBN 0853236224.
↑ "Hayes FM brings music and culture to town centre festival". Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
↑ Griffith, Jack (17 February 2010). "Happily riding the wave of vinyl retro chic". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
↑ Martin, Derek (1986). Thorn EMI: 50 Years of Radar : 50 Years of Company Involvement with Radar Technology 1936-1986. Thorn EMI Electronics, Radar Division. ISBN 9780951213100.
1 2 Griffith, Jack (22 February 2012). "Multi-million EMI revamp one step closer". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
↑ Griffiths, Jack (8 February 2012). "'Gatefold Building' housing scheme on EMI site". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
↑ Griffith, Jack (30 November 2012). "The Old Vinyl Factory planning consent 'historic for Hayes'". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
↑ Ackermann, Will (11 February 2015). "Firms sign up to move into Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 28 February 2016.

External links

51°30′19″N0°25′33″W / 51.50528°N 0.42583°W / 51.50528; -0.42583

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[Cathedral-1] 1 2 "The Old Vinyl Factory". Cathedral Group PLC. Retrieved 15 March 2012.

[2] For the Record, No 32, pp434-5.

[History-3] 1 2 3 4 5 "History of the Old Vinyl Factory". The Old Vinyl Factory. Retrieved 15 March 2012.

[4] Peter Martland, EMI Since Records Began, Batsford, 1997

[5] Skinner, Joan (1997). Form and Fancy: Factories and Factory Buildings by Wallis, Gilbert & Partners, 1916-1939 . Liverpool University Press. ISBN 0853236224.

[6] "Hayes FM brings music and culture to town centre festival". Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

[7] Griffith, Jack (17 February 2010). "Happily riding the wave of vinyl retro chic". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

[8] Martin, Derek (1986). Thorn EMI: 50 Years of Radar : 50 Years of Company Involvement with Radar Technology 1936-1986. Thorn EMI Electronics, Radar Division. ISBN 9780951213100.

[Revamp-9] 1 2 Griffith, Jack (22 February 2012). "Multi-million EMI revamp one step closer". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 15 March 2012.

[10] Griffiths, Jack (8 February 2012). "'Gatefold Building' housing scheme on EMI site". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 15 March 2012.

[11] Griffith, Jack (30 November 2012). "The Old Vinyl Factory planning consent 'historic for Hayes'". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 3 December 2012.

[12] Ackermann, Will (11 February 2015). "Firms sign up to move into Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes". Uxbridge Gazette. Retrieved 28 February 2016.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]