Description and History of Site:-
Established by Thomas Birdsall in 1870. The works consisted mainly of sheds in which the chemical operations were conducted. Two large boilers provided steam for heating and to supply a 10 HP engine to drive machinery. The chemicals produced seem to have included those for general purposes and drysaltery: sulphuric, nitric, hydrochloric and acetic acids; ammonia in various strengths; sodium carbonate; spirits of various kinds; and bleaching powder. They also produced a variety of colour materials more oriented to the dye-stuffs industry particularly the dying of woollens. Birdsall lived in 'Woodbine House', just the other side of Meanwood Road from the works. The house still stands though the works were replaced (1895) by a Leeds Corporation refuse destructor which itself was later destroyed by fire. The site is now occupied by a Council recycling facility.

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Key Words :- chemicals bleaching dyestuffs

Address :- Meanwood Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Grid Ref :- SE 2949 3603
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.819715 , Long -1.553538
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site demolished or no longer extant
Site Condition :- Site cleared - no above ground remains visible
Site Dates :- 1870 - 1895
Record Date :- 22 July 2019

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