Go to animated version of Greenbank Chocolate Factory Website

Introduction

Greenbank Chocolate Factory

The business of making chocolate has been based in Bristol since 1728.  In the 18th century the chocolate industry expanded into many of the buildings in Bristol’s City Centre.   By early 1900 chocolate products were in such demand that manufacturers started to move to purpose built accommodation.  In 2006 the last factory to manufacture chocolate in Bristol’s city centre closed its doors.  The factory was situated in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Greenbank, where the dreamy smell of chocolate has wafting since the factory was built in 1901.
 
Involving Residents In Solutions (I.R.I.S) was set up in 1997 to provide a mechanism for residents to have their voices heard.   I.R.I.S applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for support involving ex-employees and residents in the Chocolate Memories project to describes what life was like living near and working in the Greenbank chocolate factory.    A selection of people employed by the factory since the 1920’s to today have contributed their memories through video, photography, and digital audio recordings. They represent different areas of work within the factory from the cleaners, reception, administration, factory floor, union membership, health and safety, product development to the board room. 

The Chocolate Memories project illustrates how working life has changed over the past 100 years.  It demonstrates how war and recession challenge the fortune of industry, while more recently how takeovers and global financing threaten the security of employment.  The factory was an important local employer. They have left this inner-city site ripe for prime housing development to relocate production elsewhere in the UK and abroad. 

The residents of Greenbank feel a sense of nostalgia for the loss of their local industry.  The terraced Edwardian housing was built in the same decade as the factory.  Thus the community fits snugly between the huge red brick walls of the factory and Greenbank Cemetery.  The factory represents a safe, secure and comforting boundary.   The factory was an important local employer. Like many employers they have left this inner-city site ripe for prime housing development to relocate production elsewhere in the UK and abroad. 

The community is about to experience considerable change when the factory site is re-developed.  The community is about to experience considerable change when the factory site is re-developed. They have created a web-site www.greenbankchocolatebox.org.uk which supports their campaign and involvement to ensure the factory buildings and land are developed in a way which will enhance the community rather than become an imposition.

The Chocolate Memories project has been put together as a web document to provide a hinge from the old to the new as the old Packer’s factory site is developed.  In addition it will provide an opportunity for people all around the globe to glimpse what life was like within the factory and surrounding houses of Greenbank, Bristol.

Go to animated version of Greenbank Chocolate Factory Website