Glassworks: Birmingham's iconic glass factory added to Victorian Society's 'at risk' list

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Chances glassworks was once famous for supplying all the glass for the Prince Albert’s Crystal Palace and specialist lenses to 2,300 lighthouses across the world

A once-thriving 19th-century Victorian glass factory in Birmingham, now in a state of disrepair, has been named as one of the most ‘endangered’ Victorian structures by a charity committed to their preservation.

The Victorian Society’s annual top 10 list of buildings and structures in need of rescue – released on Wednesday – was described as “terrifying” by the society’s president, Griff Rhys Jones.

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All are at least Grade II listed, signifying their historical or architectural importance.

Their listed status means the structures are already subject to protection, but the society warned the regulations may not be enough without further action.

Chances Glassworks, located in Smethwick, was established in 1824 by Robert Lucas Chance.

Glassworks named in Victorian Society's 'at risk' sitesGlassworks named in Victorian Society's 'at risk' sites
Glassworks named in Victorian Society's 'at risk' sites | Flickr

It produced a variety of glass types, including window, optical, and specialist glass - even supplying window glass for the Houses of Parliament.

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The Chance family, originally farmers and craftsmen from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, established their business, taking advantage of the skilled workers, canals, and many advances that were taking place in the industrial West Midlands at the time.

At its prime, the Chance Brothers factory employed 3,500 people before its closure in 1981. The company was a pioneer in the production of crown window glass and was among the first glassworks in Europe to implement the cylinder process.

Glassworks gained fame for supplying all the glass for the Crystal Palace and specialist lenses for 2,000 lighthouses worldwide.

Significant areas of archaeological survival are known to exist within the site, including the bases of up to six furnaces and the major tunnels and flues, providing potentially the most extensive area of surviving Victorian glass manufacture in the country.

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Situated a stone’s throw from the M5 motorway, the factory is described by the Victorian Society as ‘arguably one of the most important industrial sites in the West Midlands.’

Blue plaque - Chance Bros from the Smethwick Local History Society, 2000.Blue plaque - Chance Bros from the Smethwick Local History Society, 2000.
Blue plaque - Chance Bros from the Smethwick Local History Society, 2000. | Flickr

The Chance Heritage Trust has been campaigning for the redevelopment of the former glassworks site, which they argue is currently an underutilised historical site in the West Midlands.

The trust has proposed its use for a new urban village - resulting in a capital grant submission to the West Midlands Combined Authority for the first phase of the restoration.

The £25m regeneration scheme aims to transform Chances into an urban village, including 150 new homes, business space and a heritage centre.

James Hughes, Director of the Victorian Society, said:

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“Chance’s story is unique and fascinating. It is one that is told through the fabric of its site, which is in part what makes it so precious, and the need to save it so pressing.”

“All strength, therefore, to the Chance Heritage Trust and its ambitious regeneration scheme. Those in positions of influence should take note, and must do what they can to support and realise the Trust’s vision.”

Victorian Society president Griff Rhys-Jones urged people to stand up for the buildings.

“Look at the character on display here. They all add colour and story to any urban landscape," he said.

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“Their restoration and reuse make huge commercial sense. They are attractions in themselves. They are already destinations. They should be part of local pride.

“What do we want? A parking lot? A faceless block in their place? A slew of new carbon pollution?

"When they have so much colour, continuity and history on their side already?”

The 2024 list of the 10 most at-risk Victorian buildings includes:

  • Kennington Boys’ School, London
  • The Kursaal, Essex
  • St Martins (formerly Roslyn Hoe), Devon
  • St Luke’s Chapel of Nottingham City Hospital, Nottinghamshire
  • St Agnes’ Vicarage and Hall, Liverpool
  • Chances Glassworks, West Midlands
  • Former education department offices, Derbyshire
  • Former Bramcote Tennis Pavilion, North Yorkshire
  • Jesmond Dene Banqueting Hall, Newcastle
  • Coal Exchange, Cardiff

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