The famous Milkybar factory of Nestlé in Hayes is being reborn as a new neighbourhood for thousands of people due to the shifting of the headquarters.
In 1913, a German bodybuilder and music hall performer Eugen Sandow, known as “Sandow the Great” in his time, a contender for the title of world’s strongest man, opened a cocoa factory in Hayes.
Mr. Sandow was regarded as the father of bodybuilding, who claimed that chocolate was the source of his strength.
In 1911, Sandow took his first plunge into the supplement industry with the creation of ‘ Sandow’s health and Strength Cocoa and opened The Sandow Cocoa Company.
Sandow was so deeply immersed in British culture prior to the outbreak of World War I, but it was perhaps inevitable that his product was initially successful.
His fortune plummeted during World War I and Sandow, a German national, was classified as an enemy and he was forced to cease trading, so in 1916 The Sandow Factory went into liquidation.
Therefore, in 1916 the building and assets passed to the Hayes Cocoa Company which was owned by Swiss chocolate company Peter, Cailler, Kohler.
In 1929, the Nestlé Company bought out Peter, Cailler, Kohler and located its major chocolate and instant coffee works on the canal, next to the railway east of the station; it was for many years the company’s UK headquarters.
Nestlé factory played a significant role – both architecturally and economically- in the area of west London for decades.
In 2015, the factory, which has been closed to the public for more than 100 years shut down and sold to Barratt London- a property developer and SERGO- a property investment company.
The extensive 30- acre complex alongside Grand Union Canal closed after its production freeze-dried instant coffee switched to a plant in Derbyshire.
Nestlé Factory is now being redeveloped as a residential area with around 1300 new homes, a new canal-side realm, and expansive new green space.
In May 2018, the major redevelopment of the factory was been given the green light by the Mayor of London after a series of compromises were reached with developers.
The new development of this site hopes to incorporate a sense of this important local history while also providing modern living space, green space, and sustainable industrial units.
As the building has been very close to the public for many years, the developers kept the essence of the historical building rather than vanishing the true identity of the place.
According to the planning, the factory’s Art Deco facades and its impressive entrance are being retained, and the original fixtures such as staircases, machinery, and artifacts will be incorporated into the design of the new mid-century modern-style apartment blocks.
More than seven acres of green public spaces and trim trails are being created, the canal towpath will be upgraded, and new workspace for small businesses will also be introduced.
Estate agents said: “ At the core of the former Nestle factory is the construction of nearly 1400 new homes, with one-third of these being affordable housing. The area is fast becoming its own center, with house values in UB3 climbing. Hayes is growing more and more desirable, especially as Crossarail’s completion date comes closer.”
The ordinary new name of the scheme, Hayes Village does little to enhance the site’s wonderful manufacturing heritage but all the Milkybar fans will be licking their lips for sure.
Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration, and Skills, said: “It feels good to see at first-hand how Nestle is transforming into a vibrant new part of the capital, with hundreds of genuinely affordable homes.
“For more than 80 years, this factory produced vast quantities of chocolate and coffee. And I am pleased that now the future of this site will bring huge benefits by providing much-needed employment space that will create new jobs and delivering public green space as well as new homes. “
The overall scheme will be going to bring many benefits to society and the local community as it will have strong links to the heritage and history of the site with the original Art deco factory frontage.
Now the development of the factory will see the return of the original Sandow building, constructed in 1913 as Hayes’ cocoa works plant.
Over the last 60 years, it was operated by Nestlé and the Sandow building was modified in many ways. But SERGO and Barratt have promised to return the factory to its original façade.
Redevelopment of Nestle Factory , Hayes , Onsite Picture
Proposed Hayes Village model view