Collection GB 0074 ACC/3496 - EMPIRE STONE WORKS

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 ACC/3496

Title

EMPIRE STONE WORKS

Date(s)

  • 1947-1990 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

4.55 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Empire Stone Works was founded in 1900. It specialised in producing pre-cast concrete for cladding. This could incorporate colour pigment and also produce a hand-finished surface to match natural stone cills, copings and cornices. The factory dominated the Leicestershire village of Narborough, with its own rail sidings, and employed over 300 people. The company ceased trading in 1994, soon after the completion of the MI6 building at Vauxhall Cross.

Archival history

These plans were rescued from a derelict building, days before it was demolished. Plans relating to London came to the then Greater London Record Office, together with index cards for the whole of the existing plan collection.
GB 0074 ACC/3496 1947-1990 Collection 4.55 linear metres Empire Stone Works , manufacturers of concrete cladding

The Empire Stone Works was founded in 1900. It specialised in producing pre-cast concrete for cladding. This could incorporate colour pigment and also produce a hand-finished surface to match natural stone cills, copings and cornices. The factory dominated the Leicestershire village of Narborough, with its own rail sidings, and employed over 300 people. The company ceased trading in 1994, soon after the completion of the MI6 building at Vauxhall Cross.

These plans were rescued from a derelict building, days before it was demolished. Plans relating to London came to the then Greater London Record Office, together with index cards for the whole of the existing plan collection.

Donated to the Archive in 1995.

Records of the The Empire Stone Works, consisting of rolled plans, 1950-1990, from the Drawing Office at Narborough. Among the buildings with which the company was involved are: Battersea Park Pagoda, British Museum, Ford Factory Dagenham, Bank of England, Haberdasher's Hall, Westminster Abbey, Royal Ballet School, Royal Free Hospital and Kingston Power Station.

In November 2000 these files were assessed individually and sorted according to whether they related to existing collections held at the London Metropolitan Archive; had significant architectural plans within its contents; were high quality examples of Empire Stoneworks' designs; related to major London buildings; and were worthy of long term preservation. Approximately 20% of the original number of files was retained as a result of this appraisal.

The original references have been kept but there were 2 series. All plans beginning with the prefix L{A}, L{B}, L{C} relate to London. Some other places in London, particularly those in outer London, appear in a separate series for the whole county using the first letter of the place as a prefix: e.g. B177 relates to Bromley. Not all these numbers have survived.

Available for general access.

Copyright rests with the City of London.
English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

The Company's records have been deposited at Leicestershire Record Office, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicester LE18 2AH (Accession DE4570). The Birmingham plans went to Birmingham City Archives, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ. Plans of Marks and Spencers' stores were separated out by their consulting engineers WSP Kenchington Ford of Birmingham.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. July to October 2009 Information sources Documents Business records Industry Extractive industry Stone industry and trade Concrete Visual materials Plans Building plans Cladding Building materials Architectural plans Company archives Companies Empire Stone Works , manufacturers of concrete cladding Enterprises

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Donated to the Archive in 1995.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the The Empire Stone Works, consisting of rolled plans, 1950-1990, from the Drawing Office at Narborough. Among the buildings with which the company was involved are: Battersea Park Pagoda, British Museum, Ford Factory Dagenham, Bank of England, Haberdasher's Hall, Westminster Abbey, Royal Ballet School, Royal Free Hospital and Kingston Power Station.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

In November 2000 these files were assessed individually and sorted according to whether they related to existing collections held at the London Metropolitan Archive; had significant architectural plans within its contents; were high quality examples of Empire Stoneworks' designs; related to major London buildings; and were worthy of long term preservation. Approximately 20% of the original number of files was retained as a result of this appraisal.

Accruals

System of arrangement

The original references have been kept but there were 2 series. All plans beginning with the prefix L{A}, L{B}, L{C} relate to London. Some other places in London, particularly those in outer London, appear in a separate series for the whole county using the first letter of the place as a prefix: e.g. B177 relates to Bromley. Not all these numbers have survived.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright rests with the City of London.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The Company's records have been deposited at Leicestershire Record Office, Long Street, Wigston Magna, Leicester LE18 2AH (Accession DE4570). The Birmingham plans went to Birmingham City Archives, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ. Plans of Marks and Spencers' stores were separated out by their consulting engineers WSP Kenchington Ford of Birmingham.

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area