Garston News Views and Discussion

**Kev** · 09-24-2005

Campaigners fighting to prevent the sale of a church-owned community centre in south Liverpool started an occupation of the building on Saturday.

Community activists say they want to keep Bankfield House in Banks Road in Garston, open for the local community.

They claim their views are being ignored by newly-appointed trustees.

Property owner, the Church of England, said it could not afford to maintain the building and subsidise the centre. A public meeting is planned next week.

Source

Bankfield House has been in an awful state ever since I can remember almost 20 odd years ago we used to knock about around it.

The building looks bad

A.D.Williams · 09-25-2005

A.D.Williams · 09-25-2005

**Kev** · 09-25-2005

Thanks for the pics Dave, I drove past it today and thought about getting pics.

What is it at risk from exactly? Does anyone know? I'd rather have it smartened up by a new owner than left in its present state.

A.D.Williams · 09-25-2005

You should ask for an interview and post the comments on this forum, Kev.

**Max** · 09-26-2005

Bet you didn;t have todrive to take them pictures.

What did people do in that house? Play pool and stuff with members of the community.

**Kev** · 09-26-2005

When we were kids Max, we would play footy behind the 'house', but of course the pitch now is a tarmac/ rubble mess, resembles a dumping ground now.

**Kev** · 10-07-2005

Won't mean much to most of u but local and close to my heart:

MORE than 100 years of tradition ends today when Garston Leather closes down.

Almost 40 workers, some with nearly 40 years' experience at the King Street site, will leave work for the last time for an uncertain future after the Scottish parent group announced it was axing the business it bought in 1998.

Leather factory worker Kenny Roberts said it would be an emotional experience for the workforce, many of whose families have worked there for generations.

He said the plant was previously owned by the Boston family and the family spirit extended to the shop floor.

"Lots of Garston families have worked here," said 52-year-old Mr Roberts.

" The Williamsons, for example, had eight or nine brothers working for the company," added Mr Roberts, from Clavell Road, Garston.

As part of the closure process staff have been inter-viewed by recruitment specialists, including the local Jobs, Education and Training (Jet) Centre.

Mr Roberts said: "We had to fill in a CV and it was only then, when it asked for my work experience, that I realised that this is all I have done all my life.

"I left school and this is the only job I have ever had. I have worked here for 36 years."

The original owners are still in touch with the workforce and Nicholas Boston even gave Mr Roberts money to put towards a farewell drink for the workforce.

But he admitted: "I think we're probably going to put it on a Lottery lucky dip instead and try our luck."

New owners are said to have told staff they were shutting the plant as it was not making money.

A spokesman for Paisleybased Scottish Leather said the closure was for "economic reasons" due to a downturn in sales and exports.

When Scottish Leather bought Garston Leather seven years ago it was one of the biggest producers in the UK, handling about 12,000 hides per week.

The factory provided hides for the automotive, furniture, shoe and fancy leather goods industries.

Highs and lows . . .

THE Garston Tanning Company was founded in 1899 and employed hundreds in its heyday - almost 500 in 1979.

It was one of the largest producers of leather upholstery for the European car trade and in 1971 installed one of the largest tannery drums in the world.

The tide turned in the industry in the late 1970s and jobs disappeared as foreign manufacturers snapped up the lion's share of raw materials.

Source

**jimmy** · 10-08-2005

How times do a change,and another ones gone,and then there were none.
I feel sorry for the workers,the old faithfull and loyal servants you have served me well,now sod off,blinking terrible but a sign of the times.

**Kev** · 10-08-2005

Crappy Jimmy but all is not lost, maybe no consolation but a stones throw away the Estuary Park is booming with new factories being built and units etc.

Here

My dad who is looking for a job at the moment has never had such a choice!

**Howie** · 10-09-2005

We have lost so much of our manufacturing industry over the last 25 years which offered reasonably paid permanent full-time employment to so many giving them security and stability in their lives. This has regretably been replaced by a service sector economy offering low paid, temporary, and part-time employment. I am sure it is no coincidence that this has been accompanied by an increase in all manner of social problems in our society.

**jimmy** · 10-09-2005

Crappy i may well be,but it doesn't alter the facts,one by one the manufacturing industries of Garston are closing down for ever,to be replaced by a service sector economy.Hope the displaced workers are both young enough and skilled enough to get one of these jobs.

A.D.Williams · 10-09-2005

I don't think Kev was calling you crappy, Jimmy, he was describing the situation of the workers. I'll try and get some pictures of the factory later.

**Kev** · 10-09-2005

Originally Posted by kev

Crappy Jimmy but all is not lost,

Jimmy I hope you have not taken offence at that comment which didnt mean to be read as 'Crappy Jimmy'. I forget sometimes that because its the net we dont have to type in full sentences, punctuated too!

The situation is 'crappy' was all I meant, soz mate

thanks Dave for spotting that.

**Scousemouse** · 10-09-2005

'Scuse me for laughin', but I found this misunderstanding hilarious, I've seen pub fights started for less... Still chuckling. Sorry lads, it's my sick sense of humour!