WW2 Cold store, Budbrooke Road, Warwick
Description of this historic site
A Second World War cold storage depot. The depot was surveyed prior to its demolition. It was situated between the railway lines and the river, 100m south of the roundabout on the Birmingham and Wedgnock Roads, Warwick.
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Notes about this historic site
1 Second World War cold store at this location.
2 Recording, consisting of an exterior plan and elevations, was undertaken prior to the demolition of the store. The interior couldn’t be surveyed due to the derelict nature of the building.
- For the sources of these notes, see the
- Timetrail record
- produced by the Historic Environment Record.
Comments
I recall seeing this derelict building in around the early 1990s and the land around it had become a wonderful unofficial nature reserve. Through the main gate you could watch nesting Swallows, Kestrels and Owls; and of course the obligatory population of rabbits. Early satellite images from the first era of Google Maps also captured the light railway on this land, which connected to the adjoining main line. Until the end of 2016 the concrete footprint of the brick site entrance “hut” could still be seen next to – what is now the only and last surviving remnant of the entire complex – a lone brick gate post or pillar standing as a forgotten survival – Centenary guard like – next to the public footpath entrance and on the corner of where Wilmhurst Road now starts.
IN 1951 I began attendance at West Gate Junior School. On Friday afternoons the school provided different, interesting learning opportunities in the form of ‘clubs’ The one I joined in my second term, Jan. 1952 was the Social Services Club, run by Miss Bodmin. We visited Warwick Police Station, the school dinners, kitchens at Hatton Terrace, Nelson’s gelatine factory at Buffalo Lane and the Budbrooke Cold Storage facility – very much functioning at this time. We saw masses of huge cheeses, and sides of beef from Argentina. We also got to walk on the roof and, do you know no what no one fell off! Health and Safety – Ha
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