We've received the following plea at Hillingdonchat.com..

BARRATT LONDON ASK COMMUNITY TO HELP TO REMEMBER THE NESTLÉ FACTORY


Barratt London, the housebuilder behind the Hayes Village development on Nestles Avenue, is appealing to members of the local community in a bid to find historic images of the former Nestlé chocolate and coffee factory. As Barratt London converts the iconic building into a collection of stylish apartments, the housebuilder hopes to honour its fascinating history.



Barratt London is eager to hear from individuals who worked in the building in past decades, or perhaps a local photographer, that may have some historic internal or external photos of the factory in its heyday. The housebuilder is sensitively converting the former factory into a range of attractive new Art Deco-style apartments, whilst opening up a previously inaccessible part of the canal for the public to enjoy.



Ed McCoy, Sales Director for Barratt London, comments: “The Nestlé Factory is a much-loved Hayes landmark, so it is only right to keep the history of the building alive through the stories and memories of local people. As new residents buy and eventually move into our Hayes Village development, we feel it is important that they have the opportunity to learn about the exciting role their home played in the production of instant coffee and chocolate, alongside how much the site means to the people of Hayes. We encourage anybody who has any photographs, artefacts or anecdotes about the factory to get in touch.”



Local legend has it that after retiring from Hollywood, Eugene Sandow, the father of modern body-building who was featured in a series of Charlie Chaplin films, invested his earnings into Sandow’s Cocoa Works, which opened in Hayes in 1913. In 1929, the factory changed hands to become the first factory outside of Switzerland to manufacture the Nestlé Milky Bar.

The housebuilder is making steps to ensure the original character of the site is honoured, such as restoring key elements of the original design and integrating these elements back into the new homes. The iconic Art Deco entrance will be retained, alongside the original staircase and south façade of the main factory building. In addition, historic factory machinery and artefacts will be innovatively integrated into the design of the apartment’s buildings, as a nod toward the history of the site.

Ed adds: “We have been working hard with conversion specialists to ensure that the original facades are being preserved, while many of the original art deco features have also been restored. This heritage-led project, which will eventually deliver over 1,300 new homes, hopes to celebrate the role of the building in local history and play a significant role in the community’s future.”

Alongside giving the former factory a new lease of life, over 3 hectares of green spaces will be opened-up across the site, including a 1.3km trail, 300m of previously inaccessible canal frontage, communal gardens, and a children’s play area.

Anyone with images or relevant memorabilia that that they would be willing to share asked to please contact Briony Hughes at briony@building-relations.co.uk

This is really interesting news. I hope that lots of photos are sent in. My memories of the Nestle building are all in my own head but actually feel a link to the factory having relatives who worked there. I also worked there for a short while, part time, wrapping the chocolate Easter Eggs with coloured foil with different patterns.
My Mum, who will be 100 years old this year worked there in the 1930's, and then in the 50's-60's in the Nescafe dept. She has talked of dancing classes in the evening there in the earlier days and it was when she was there she heard that her boyfriend was coming home on leave. He was abroad in the Army during the war, but he asked her to make the arrangements for them to get married whilst on leave. My Uncle worked on maintaining the machines and my aunt worked there, in the chocolate packing dept.
I remember Nestles as a thriving factory and was one of the focal points for work and Social life and I still can't imagine Hayes without it.
I am therefore pleased that there is an interest being shown in those important times for the residents of Hayes.
Thankyou to Barratt Homes for their interest in Nestles and life at that time.
With Best Wishes from Marian Heawood.

I hope you will email that to them Marian. I wonder if your mother is the oldest former Nestles employee?

Hi Jon,
I will try to get in touch with them to tell them. I hadn't thought about the possible significance of becoming 100 years old this year. She could be the oldest but couldn't say for sure. She doesn't look or sound a 100 so is amazing.
I hope you and everyone here are staying safe.
With Best Wishes from Marian.x

An interesting exploration of the site here with lots of pics:

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/nestle-coffee-factory-hayes-june-2015.97118/

Thanks Bermudan

Any developments on that Marian?