Group    From 1861  To 1979

Bryant and May - Fairfield Works

Categories: Industry

Halfway along Fairfield Road stands the old Bryant and May Factory. A Grade II listed building designed by Holman and Goodrham. The brick entrance includes a depiction of Noah’s Ark and the word "Security" used as a trademark on the matchboxes. It used to be the largest match factory in the UK and at full production in 1911, the site employed more than 2,000 women and girls.  It was the site of the Matchgirls Strike.  See also Gladstone's statue at Bow Church.

The factory closed in 1979 when the business transferred to Liverpool and the building is now a gated private apartment complex known as the Bow Quarter.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Bryant and May - Fairfield Works

Commemorated ati

Bryant & May Testimonial fountain - lost

This elaborate fountain was commissioned by Bryant and May to celebrate the a...

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Bryant & May Testimonial fountain - plaque

This plaque is a rarity: a memorial to a memorial! The site of the fountain ...

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Fairfield Works

This plaque was lost sometime July 2021 - August 2022.

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Other Subjects

garment and textile industries in the East End

garment and textile industries in the East End

The origins of the East End textile industry can be traced to the 14th century when Flemish artisans set up dye works on the River Lea. In the late 17th century the Huguenots arrived in Spitalfield...

Concept, Commerce, Craft / Design, Industry

4 memorials
Vauxhall Motors

Vauxhall Motors

Founded by Scottish marine engineer, Alexander Wilson, 90–92 Wandsworth Road. Originally named Alex Wilson and Company, then Vauxhall Iron Works from 1897, the company built pumps and marine engine...

Group, Industry, Transport

1 memorial
Brunner Mond Chemical Works

Brunner Mond Chemical Works

Formed as a partnership in 1873 (becoming a limited company in 1881) by John Brunner and Ludwig Mond. The first factory was in Cheshire. The company was bought by Tata Chemicals in 2006. At the sou...

Place, Industry, Tragedy

1 memorial
William Hesketh Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme

William Hesketh Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme

Soap magnate and philanthropist, founder of Port Sunlight, near Liverpool. Born 6 Wood Street, Bolton, Lancashire. Known for his patronage of the arts and paternalistic social policies, he was also...

Person, Industry, Philanthropy, Race Issues

1 memorial
Shoreditch Electricity Generating Station and Refuse Destructor

Shoreditch Electricity Generating Station and Refuse Destructor

An early purpose-built undertaking to generate electricity from steam created by burning rubbish. From Geograph: " The generated electricity powered street lights and some adjacent washhouses, si...

Building, Industry

1 memorial