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Camperdown Works

March 19, 2024

Camperdown Works was a jute works in Dundee, Scotland, which covered around 30 acres and at one point employed over 14,000, mostly female, workers.[1] It was for a time the world's largest jute works and was owned by Cox Brothers.[2]

Camperdown Works
The High Mill and Cox's Stack, the only remnants left of Camperdown Works
General information
StatusDemolished, site redeveloped
LocationLochee
Town or cityDundee
CountryScotland
Year(s) built1849—1857
Completed1857
Closed1981
OwnerCox Brothers

History edit

Origins edit

The Cox family was connected with the linen trade in Lochee from the early 18th century when a member of the Cox family was a small manufacturer in the area. In 1827 James Cock (subsequently known as Cox), the son of James Cock of Foggyley and Helen Scott, assumed control of the family business and in 1841 formed a co-partnering with his brothers, William Cox, Thomas Hunter Cox and George Addison Cox. The firm was quick to adopt the most recent improvements and moved over from the linen trade to jute.

Construction and operation edit

In 1849, construction began of Camperdown Works, in Lochee and within a few years all of their operations relating to the manufacture of jute were carried out in these works.[3][4][5]

The first building to be erected on the site by the Cox Brothers was the power loom factory which was the largest ever built in the city of Dundee. A hand loom factory was built to its north in 1853, holding 225 looms.[2] One of the most significant developments on the site was the High Mill, which author Mark Watson argues to have been one of the finest textile mills in Victorian Scotland. It was built in three stages from 1857 and included a 100-foot clock tower.[6] By 1878 the works had its own railway branch, made its own machinery and employed 4,500 workers, a total which had risen to 5,000 by 1900.[2][3][7]

 
Cox's Stack was built in 1866 and is one of few remements of Camperdown Works

A foundry and stables, which could hold up to thirty horses, were built in the 1860s. Also on the site was a half-time school which was built in 1884 and closed in 1896. Other buildings included warehouses, a small fire-station and a three-bay shed for railway engines using the works' branchline, which joined the nearby Dundee and Newtyle Railway.[8]

The works' 'greatest landmark' was its 282 foot high brick chimney, known as "Cox's Stack". Built between 1865 and 1866 it was designed by the architect James Maclaren and the engineer George Addison Cox, one of the Cox brothers.[9][10] The stack was linked to the Works' 57 boilers and could be seen when approaching Dundee from the south by crossing the River Tay.[10] The stack still stands today and is Scotland's tallest surviving industrial chimney.[11]

The works dominated Lochee and was the area's primary employer. Its success helped transform the former village of Lochee into prosperous community in the nineteenth century and promoted the development of other trades such as furniture manufacture.[12]

Closure edit

Production at the works ceased in 1981 and some parts of the complex were sold for demolition in 1985. The site was used as a double for 1940s Berlin in the 1980s BBC television drama Christabel.[13]

Management edit

Following James Cox's death in 1885 his son Edward took a key role in the management of the works and Cox Brothers Ltd which became a Limited Liability Company, in 1893. In 1920 the firm became a part of a new Dundee-based company Jute Industries Ltd. This was a new venture which acquired several of Dundee's jute works. Jute Industries' Chairman from 1920 to 1948 was James Ernest Cox, the son of Edward Cox.[3] Jute Industries became Sidlaw Industries Ltd in 1971.[14] In 1940 Jute Industries advertised themselves as 'the largest firm of jute spinners and manufacturers in Great Britain'[15]

In addition to Camperdown Works, Cox Brothers had several offices. In 1888 these included premises in Meadow Place Dundee, as well as Glasgow, Manchester and London.[16]

The Stack Leisure Park edit

Following the closure of the jute works, the site of Camperdown Works was sold to Michael Johnston, a local entrepreneur from Dundee in the 1980s and was redeveloped into The Stack Leisure Park which opened in 1992.

Construction edit

Following the purchase, the High Mill was redeveloped into flats and many of the buildings in the works were demolished to make way for a leisure park with the Cox's Stack being retained.

Features edit

The Leisure park originally consisted of an Odeon cinema, a William Low (later rebranded as Tesco) superstore, The Venue, a local nightclub, the Megabowl, a bowling alley and Gala Bingo.

By the late 2000s, many of the original tenants either left or were forced to shut down, leaving Gala Bingo as the sole business on site. Many of the buildings at the park were boarded up and left abandoned.

Revival edit

Following a period of abandonment, the site was then purchased by TJ Morris in 2012 who opened a Home Bargains store on site. The Range opened up a store on the site of the former Tesco store in 2014. Smyths opened a toy store in 2015 with The Gym Group opening up a gym next door in 2017.

In 2023, Greggs opened a restaurant and drive through at the entrance of the park and Home Bargains moved to the former Odeon site, which opened in December of that year.

References edit

  1. ^ McKean, Charles, and Walker, David (1984). Dundee: An Illustrated Introduction. Edinburgh: RIAS. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-7073-0387-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c Watson, Mark (1990). Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee. Tayport: Hutton Press. p. 139. ISBN 0-907033-51-2.
  3. ^ a b c "MS 6 Cox Brothers Ltd, Jute Spinners and Manufacturers, and Cox Family Papers". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  4. ^ "MS 66/2 Cox Brothers, Jute Spinners and Manufactures, Dundee". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  5. ^ "MS 6/4 Thomas Hunter Cox papers". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  6. ^ Watson, Mark (1990). Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee. Tayport: Hutton Press. p. 144. ISBN 0-907033-51-2.
  7. ^ "Makeover for jute baron's mansion". BBC News. 19 February 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  8. ^ Watson, Mark (1990). Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee. Tayport: Hutton Press. pp. 151–153. ISBN 0-907033-51-2.
  9. ^ McKean, Charles, and Walker, David (1984). Dundee: An Illustrated Introduction. Edinburgh: RIAS. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-7073-0387-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b McKean, Charles; Whatley, Patricia; with Baxter, Kenneth (2013). Lost Dundee: Dundee's Lost Architectural Heritage (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Birlinn Ltd. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-78027-106-4.
  11. ^ "Cox's Stack, Camperdown Works". Engineering Timelines. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  12. ^ McKean, Charles; Whatley, Patricia; with Baxter, Kenneth (2013). Lost Dundee: Dundee's Lost Architectural Heritage (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Birlinn Ltd. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-78027-106-4.
  13. ^ Watson, Mark (1990). Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee. Tayport: Hutton Press. p. 157. ISBN 0-907033-51-2.
  14. ^ "MS 66/10 Sidlaw Industries Ltd". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  15. ^ The Jute Yearbook & Directory 1940. London: British Continental Trade Press. 1940. p. 2.
  16. ^ The Dundee Directory 1888-89. Dundee: James P. Mathew & Co. 1888. p. 602.

External links edit

  • Domesday Reloaded Camperdown Works Dundee 1986 16 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  • Cox Brothers Ltd, Jute Spinners and Manufacturers, and Cox Family Papers at University of Dundee Archive Services
  • Cox Brothers, Jute Spinners and Manufactures, Dundee at University of Dundee Archive Services
  • Cox family website

56°28′23″N 3°00′22″W / 56.473°N 3.006°W / 56.473; -3.006

March 19, 2024
camperdown, works, jute, works, dundee, scotland, which, covered, around, acres, point, employed, over, mostly, female, workers, time, world, largest, jute, works, owned, brothers, high, mill, stack, only, remnants, left, general, informationstatusdemolished, . Camperdown Works was a jute works in Dundee Scotland which covered around 30 acres and at one point employed over 14 000 mostly female workers 1 It was for a time the world s largest jute works and was owned by Cox Brothers 2 Camperdown WorksThe High Mill and Cox s Stack the only remnants left of Camperdown WorksGeneral informationStatusDemolished site redevelopedLocationLocheeTown or cityDundeeCountryScotlandYear s built1849 1857Completed1857Closed1981OwnerCox Brothers Contents 1 History 1 1 Origins 1 2 Construction and operation 1 3 Closure 2 Management 3 The Stack Leisure Park 3 1 Construction 3 2 Features 3 3 Revival 4 References 5 External linksHistory editOrigins edit The Cox family was connected with the linen trade in Lochee from the early 18th century when a member of the Cox family was a small manufacturer in the area In 1827 James Cock subsequently known as Cox the son of James Cock of Foggyley and Helen Scott assumed control of the family business and in 1841 formed a co partnering with his brothers William Cox Thomas Hunter Cox and George Addison Cox The firm was quick to adopt the most recent improvements and moved over from the linen trade to jute Construction and operation edit In 1849 construction began of Camperdown Works in Lochee and within a few years all of their operations relating to the manufacture of jute were carried out in these works 3 4 5 The first building to be erected on the site by the Cox Brothers was the power loom factory which was the largest ever built in the city of Dundee A hand loom factory was built to its north in 1853 holding 225 looms 2 One of the most significant developments on the site was the High Mill which author Mark Watson argues to have been one of the finest textile mills in Victorian Scotland It was built in three stages from 1857 and included a 100 foot clock tower 6 By 1878 the works had its own railway branch made its own machinery and employed 4 500 workers a total which had risen to 5 000 by 1900 2 3 7 nbsp Cox s Stack was built in 1866 and is one of few remements of Camperdown WorksA foundry and stables which could hold up to thirty horses were built in the 1860s Also on the site was a half time school which was built in 1884 and closed in 1896 Other buildings included warehouses a small fire station and a three bay shed for railway engines using the works branchline which joined the nearby Dundee and Newtyle Railway 8 The works greatest landmark was its 282 foot high brick chimney known as Cox s Stack Built between 1865 and 1866 it was designed by the architect James Maclaren and the engineer George Addison Cox one of the Cox brothers 9 10 The stack was linked to the Works 57 boilers and could be seen when approaching Dundee from the south by crossing the River Tay 10 The stack still stands today and is Scotland s tallest surviving industrial chimney 11 The works dominated Lochee and was the area s primary employer Its success helped transform the former village of Lochee into prosperous community in the nineteenth century and promoted the development of other trades such as furniture manufacture 12 Closure edit Production at the works ceased in 1981 and some parts of the complex were sold for demolition in 1985 The site was used as a double for 1940s Berlin in the 1980s BBC television drama Christabel 13 Management editFollowing James Cox s death in 1885 his son Edward took a key role in the management of the works and Cox Brothers Ltd which became a Limited Liability Company in 1893 In 1920 the firm became a part of a new Dundee based company Jute Industries Ltd This was a new venture which acquired several of Dundee s jute works Jute Industries Chairman from 1920 to 1948 was James Ernest Cox the son of Edward Cox 3 Jute Industries became Sidlaw Industries Ltd in 1971 14 In 1940 Jute Industries advertised themselves as the largest firm of jute spinners and manufacturers in Great Britain 15 In addition to Camperdown Works Cox Brothers had several offices In 1888 these included premises in Meadow Place Dundee as well as Glasgow Manchester and London 16 The Stack Leisure Park editFollowing the closure of the jute works the site of Camperdown Works was sold to Michael Johnston a local entrepreneur from Dundee in the 1980s and was redeveloped into The Stack Leisure Park which opened in 1992 Construction edit Following the purchase the High Mill was redeveloped into flats and many of the buildings in the works were demolished to make way for a leisure park with the Cox s Stack being retained Features edit The Leisure park originally consisted of an Odeon cinema a William Low later rebranded as Tesco superstore The Venue a local nightclub the Megabowl a bowling alley and Gala Bingo By the late 2000s many of the original tenants either left or were forced to shut down leaving Gala Bingo as the sole business on site Many of the buildings at the park were boarded up and left abandoned Revival edit Following a period of abandonment the site was then purchased by TJ Morris in 2012 who opened a Home Bargains store on site The Range opened up a store on the site of the former Tesco store in 2014 Smyths opened a toy store in 2015 with The Gym Group opening up a gym next door in 2017 In 2023 Greggs opened a restaurant and drive through at the entrance of the park and Home Bargains moved to the former Odeon site which opened in December of that year References edit McKean Charles and Walker David 1984 Dundee An Illustrated Introduction Edinburgh RIAS p 88 ISBN 978 0 7073 0387 1 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link a b c Watson Mark 1990 Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee Tayport Hutton Press p 139 ISBN 0 907033 51 2 a b c MS 6 Cox Brothers Ltd Jute Spinners and Manufacturers and Cox Family Papers Archive Services Online Catalogue University of Dundee Retrieved 8 October 2018 MS 66 2 Cox Brothers Jute Spinners and Manufactures Dundee Archive Services Online Catalogue University of Dundee Retrieved 8 October 2018 MS 6 4 Thomas Hunter Cox papers Archive Services Online Catalogue University of Dundee Retrieved 30 September 2014 Watson Mark 1990 Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee Tayport Hutton Press p 144 ISBN 0 907033 51 2 Makeover for jute baron s mansion BBC News 19 February 2008 Retrieved 24 January 2013 Watson Mark 1990 Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee Tayport Hutton Press pp 151 153 ISBN 0 907033 51 2 McKean Charles and Walker David 1984 Dundee An Illustrated Introduction Edinburgh RIAS p 89 ISBN 978 0 7073 0387 1 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link a b McKean Charles Whatley Patricia with Baxter Kenneth 2013 Lost Dundee Dundee s Lost Architectural Heritage 2nd ed Edinburgh Birlinn Ltd p 107 ISBN 978 1 78027 106 4 Cox s Stack Camperdown Works Engineering Timelines Retrieved 26 February 2016 McKean Charles Whatley Patricia with Baxter Kenneth 2013 Lost Dundee Dundee s Lost Architectural Heritage 2nd ed Edinburgh Birlinn Ltd p 105 ISBN 978 1 78027 106 4 Watson Mark 1990 Jute and Flax Mills in Dundee Tayport Hutton Press p 157 ISBN 0 907033 51 2 MS 66 10 Sidlaw Industries Ltd Archive Services Online Catalogue University of Dundee Retrieved 30 September 2014 The Jute Yearbook amp Directory 1940 London British Continental Trade Press 1940 p 2 The Dundee Directory 1888 89 Dundee James P Mathew amp Co 1888 p 602 External links editDomesday Reloaded Camperdown Works Dundee 1986 Archived 16 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Cox Brothers Ltd Jute Spinners and Manufacturers and Cox Family Papers at University of Dundee Archive Services Cox Brothers Jute Spinners and Manufactures Dundee at University of Dundee Archive Services Cox family website 56 28 23 N 3 00 22 W 56 473 N 3 006 W 56 473 3 006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Camperdown Works amp oldid 1195216187, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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