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Retreat Street, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV3 0JP

This building in Retreat Street is still a milk distribution depot for Dairy Crest. The former Midlands Counties Dairy on the nearby Penn Road was closed in the 1980s, and demolished in 1988. That site is now a McDonald's fast food takeaway outlet. The building dates from the early 1900s and was originally the Crown Clothing Works.

This accountancy business is located on the corner of Graiseley Street and Penn Street. This used to be where AJS manufactured motorcycles until 1917, after which A J Stevens's father (then his son) had his screw factory until 1992. A very comprehensive account of the site can be seen here http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/Cars/AJSfactories/RetreatStreet/RetreatSt.htm

This building in Retreat Street is a depot for Dairy Crest. The large Midlands Counties Dairy on the nearby Penn Road closed some years ago. The locally listed building dates from the early 1900s and was originally the Crown Clothing Works.

This building in Retreat Street is still a milk distribution depot for Dairy Crest. The former Midlands Counties Dairy on the nearby Penn Road was closed in the 1980s, and demolished in 1988. The site is now a McDonald's. The building dates from the early 1900s and was originally the Crown Clothing Works.

This building in Retreat Street is still part of a milk distribution depot for Dairy Crest. The former Midlands Counties Dairy on the nearby Penn Road was closed in the 1980s, and demolished in 1988. That site is now a McDonald's fast food joint! The building dates from the early 1900s and was originally the Crown Clothing Works.

AJS Motorcycles and Company Limited was founded on 14th November 1909. The Stevens brothers had specialised in the manufacture and supply of engines to other manufacturers including Clyno and Wearwell. The demise of Wearwell in 1909 and loss of a major outlet for their products prompted the brothers to manufacture their own motorcycles. Initially the bikes were assembled in Retreat Street with engines and frames produced at their Pelham Street Works. A group of enthusiasts gathered to mark the occasion with several historic 1920s cycles on display.

A small landscaped park area is at the junction of Lea Road with the A449 Penn Road. Here we look across it towards the junction of Retreat Street with Penn Street.

Looking north from near Penn Road (A449) On the left is a former clothing factory from the early 1900s, currently occupied as part of the Dairy Crest milk distribution operation. The white building past Penn Street was originally part of the AJS motor cycle factory, then the Stevens Screw Company. Image]

A small landscaped park area is at the junction of Lea Road with the A449 Penn Road. Here we look across it towards the junction of Retreat Street with Penn Street. The white house has a very interesting history, being part of the original AJS motor cycle factory until 1917. A very comprehensive account of the site can be seen here http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/Cars/AJSfactories/RetreatStreet/RetreatSt.htm Image]

Following the demise of the Wearwell Company the four Stevens brothers started manufacturing motorcycles from these modest premises on Retreat Street. To satisfy increasing demand the AJS company moved to a new 200,000 square foot works on Graiseley Hill in 1915. Financial difficulties led to the liquidation of the company in 1930 and AJS was sold to Matchless of London. Some other Stevens family businesses continued: Stevens Screw operated from these premises until 1992. It is interesting to see an engineering company occupying the premisesImage If you look closely enough the AJS name is just visible.