CWS Flour Mill Silvertown London

In June, 1896, the site of the proposed mill was announced. Five acres of freehold land on the north bank of the Thames at Silvertown were to be purchased at the cost of £2,500 per acre. This was the same price that had been paid at Dunston. The ground included a wharf and first-class railway facilities. The direct road, rail, and water communication, it was said, assured the mill a position superior to that of any other in London. It was foreseen, however, that, as at Dunston, it would be necessary to build upon concrete piles. Designed by the Society's architect, Mr F E L Harris, ARIBA, and erected by the C.W.S. building department, the mill was ready to produce twelve sacks per hour by the spring of 1900. On April 14th of that year the rolls were started by George Hawkins, the popular chairman of the London Branch.

Reference           Percy Redfern: The Story of the CWS, The Jubilee History of the Co-Operative Wholesale Society Limited. 1863-1913, page 232.