Hello,
My name is Ryan, I am currently researching the history of 74-78 Avon Street, Bristol. It is my understanding that this was previously a site operated by The Marble Mosaic Company.
I am undertaking this research as a personal hobby, and compiling the information I find on a website, https://74-78avonstreet.co.uk
If it's not too much trouble, I would love to know some more information about your company's time at the site, including when you first moved in to the property and when you left.
I found the following image on your website, and with your permission I would like to re-publish it on my website. I hope that it will help illustrate the history of the building.
The Marble Mosaic Company factory manager Peter Maddalena can be seen in the centre of this image along with other factory employees. This photo was taken while rubble was being cleared after the buildings height was reduced. This photo is taken in front of the eastern warehouse. Image dated 1959/1960.
Source: Marble Mosaic Company | Full Size ImageI look forward to hearing from you, and if it's not too much trouble I would like to ask some more questions about your company's operations at the site.
Kind Regards,
Ryan
Ryan
Thank you for your enquiry and interest.
It's my understanding that MMC purchased the Avon St property and "adapted" it, including reducing the height of the main building & re-roofing it, in the late 1950's/early 1960's. At that time, MMC's activities were predominantly focussed on the production of terrazzo floor tiles. MMC had been working from a small factory site adjacent to the River Frome in Wade St and its move into larger premises in Avon St enabled it to expand its activities into the production of architectural precast concrete wall cladding panels. The Dickenson Robinson Building at 1 Redcliffe St was its 1st major pc cladding contract. Subsequent projects in Bristol during the 1970's included William Penn House HQ building for Pheonix Assurance on Redcliffe Hill (recently "re-cycled" into the Mercure Holland House Hotel), the Greyfriars (Lewins Mead) and Castlemead (Old Market) office towers and Clifton Cathedral. The attached image shows 2 wall panels for Clifton Cathedral. With Avon Street becoming too small for MMC, it completed its phased move to a new factory in Weston-super-Mare during 1983. Avon St was then leased to Billy Ware Ltd, who used the buildings for its car spares re-cycling business and then to a successions of small businesses before Sk8 & Ride and Motion became established.
The image you have was taken when the main building was being reduced in height using a crawler crane with wrecking ball. The gentleman wearing the cap is Peter Maddalena (my uncle), who was MMC's factory manager, as he supervised the clearing of the rubble; the others were MMC employees. As requested, I confirm that this image may be used on you website.
If you're not already aware, there is an interesting but short reference to Avon St in Niall Allsop's "Images of the Avon & Kennett" (see attached). However, I suspect his formal agreement would be required if you wanted to include it on your website. Although also relating to other gas works sites in Bristol, Harold Nabb's "The Bristol Gas Light Company" is full of historical detail.
Whilst hoping the above is of some help to your research, please let me know if you require any additional information.
Kind regards,
Stephen Maddalena
The Marble Mosaic Co Ltd
Winterstoke Road
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 3YE