GUNNERSBURY Park Museum is exploring the decline of heavy industry in and around Ealing at the end of the 20th Century in an online exhibition.

Temples of Industry: How the Decline of Heavy Industry Shaped West London is supported by an Historic England Everyday Heritage Grant.

https://www.visitgunnersbury.org/museum/temples-of-industry/

In the early 20th Century, the West London landscape was transformed, with industries setting up in Ealing and Hounslow.

Factories along the ‘Golden Mile’ of the Great West Road were modern and eye-catching, designed to help promote and advertise their products.

They included well-known brands such as Trico windscreen wipers, Pyrene fire extinguishers, Jantzen American swimwear, Gillette and Coty.

Land that was previously rural was used for the factory sites. A new electricity plant as well as easy transport access encouraged the development.

Though each factory went through changes, for half a century manufacturing boomed. However, this was not to last and the 1980s and 1990s saw a steady decline, with many of the factories closing.

Gunnersbury Park Museum has been working to record the memories and mementoes from former employees at three factories, AEC Southall, Trico Folberth and Firestone on the Great West Road. These are featured in the online exhibition alongside archive footage and photographs.

Gunnersbury Park Museum is continuing its work to record the memories and stories from people who worked in the factories from 1970-1990.

Contact collections@visitgunnersbury.org if you want to be involved in the project.