Site of Iron Foundry on Old Warwick Road, Leamington Spa

1 Iron foundry marked on 1886 map.
2 The site exhibits 150 years of building development, reflecting the advancement of founding technology, with major expansion occurring in the early and mid-20th century. The buildings on the Prince’s Drive frontage of the foundry site date back to 1860, when they were constructed by three former employees of Sidney Flavel and Co, a kitchenware manufacturer. They set up a rival company which became known as Radclyffe and Co. Flavel’s took over the company and the site in the early 1900s, the site became known as the Imperial Stove Works, and concentrated on gas stove manufacture. During the Second World War it was used for the manufacture of ammunition boxes. After the war the foundry turned to the manufacture of agricultural implements.
The site was taken over by the Ford Company in the mid-20th century who used the foundry to make ploughs to be fitted to Ford tractors. Various alterations were made to the existing buildings and a new maintenance building, known as ‘the cooling tower’ was built. During their period of ownership, Ford changed the functions of the site and technological advances required large new structures. The site closed in 2007.