Soho Foundry, Foundry Row

Image: © Alan Murray-Rust Taken: 5 Sep 2019

Built c.1801 for the Boulton and Watt company employees. The end pair were more commodious and intended for senior employees. The nearest one was for a period the home of William Murdock https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2073996 . Following the purchase of the Soho Foundry by W & T Avery, the cottages were converted to office use in the early 20th century. There were used to provide a variety of welfare facilities, the forerunners of modern HR. This was a pioneering development by Avery's ahead of government regulations requiring large firms to provide such facilities which were introduced during World War 1. The row is Listed Grade II but currently unoccupied, with no obvious prospect of further use. At the far end can be seen the rear of the new office block built by Avery's in 1925, also Listed Grade II but also currently unoccupied. The row of cottages originally continued as far as the street, comprising 8 small cottages with a match pair of larger cottages at each end. There was also a second similar block continuing to the west, demolished in the late 19th century for factory expansion. Taken on the occasion of a guided tour of the site, which the tour organiser informed us would probably be the last time such a tour would be possible.

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