The Vulcan Works, Southport: The Archaeology of an Edwardian Car Factory

The widespread adoption of the motor car had what was perhaps greatest impact on physical and social landscape 20th-century Britain, yet virtually none early factories have been subject to formal archaeological investigation. In 2019–20, Salford Archaeology carried out a comprehensive survey former Vulcan Works, purpose-built factory that erected near Southport in 1907 by Thomas Joseph Hampson, two pioneers British motor-manufacturing industry. Initially, this ‘state-of-the-art’ comprised an architecturally impressive two-storey office with single-storey machine erecting shop rear, together associated power plant. Extensive additions increased size works more than 3.6ha 1924, whilst buildings were repurposed as general engineering 1937, original Edwardian remained largely unaltered. survey, coupled historical research limited excavation, has provided unique record rare survivor Britain’s fledgling car-manufacturing industry prior its demolition.