The Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2024 has been launched by Griff Rhys Jones, the Society’s President, and includes Chances Glassworks. One of the most important industrial heritage sites in the West Midlands, once the world's largest glassmaker, is on the list because it faces decay. It is listed on Historic England’s At Risk Register and is now appearing on the Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list for the second time, having appeared on our list previously in 2017.
Griff Rhys Jones, Victorian Society President, said “Industrial sites can seem difficult, but careful and well thought-through reuse has provided some of the most exciting effective and characterful new experiences across Britain. Former mills, factories and warehousing have been shown to have a commercial edge time and time again. It can cost more to realise these returns. But there is a plan here. There is a chance. It just needs support and recognition. Which is why these wonderful buildings are back on this list again. Surely time for action and loud support.” Chances, in the Black Country, employed 3,500 and supplied iconic structures, such as around 2,300 of the world’s lighthouses, the Crystal Palace in London, windows for the White House, and the Houses of Parliament. It features a seven-storey warehouse, bridges, and a rare Siemens No7 Regenerative furnace, probably the last existing example in the world. All these are in poor repair. Deterioration on the canal side of the site has led the Canal & River Trust to close the neighbouring towpath which is a cycle path. Robert Lucas Chance established Chance Brothers Glassworks on the former British Crown Glass Company site in 1824 and continued to expand the site to become the largest glassmaker in the world. Glass manufacture took place continuously up until 1981. The site has since stood derelict for over 40 years. Chances were innovative producers of scientific grade glass, applying for 27 British Patents from 1838-1900. They developed the first cathode ray tubes, working with John Logie Baird, for radar and television sets. The pedigree of the industrial history is outstanding. Next to the raised section of M5 and the Birmingham loop of the West Coast Mainline, the site and its buildings are now in the care of the Chance Heritage Trust. The Trust has proposed a regeneration scheme for the glassworks over the last 18 months. The work has resulted in a capital grant submission to the West Midlands Combined Authority for the first phase of the restoration. The £25m regeneration scheme aims to transform Chances into an urban village, including 150 new homes, business space and a heritage centre, but securing a capital grant is crucial to saving these key buildings and working towards delivering the scheme. The neighbourhood around the site is run-down, and this initiative would improve the locality, bring the buildings back into sustainable reuse, and also begin to regenerate the area. James Hughes, Director of the Victorian Society, said: ‘Chance’s story is unique and fascinating. It is one that is told through the fabric of its site, which is in part what makes it so precious, and the need to save it so pressing. All strength, therefore, to the Chance Heritage Trust and its ambitious regeneration scheme. Those in positions of influence should take note, and must do what they can to support and realise the Trust’s vision.’ Other news sources: Express & Star Report Business Live - Birmingham Post
Sandwell Council and the Chance Heritage Trust today (Tuesday 28 February) signed a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the heritage–led regeneration of the Chance Glassworks site in Smethwick. The Chance Glassworks site is bordered by road, rail and water. The highly iconic and recognisable seven-Storey building, built in 1847, is visible from all angles and represents a massive part of the history of the company.
This book was originally published in 1951 by Chance Brothers Limited to celebrate its 100th anniversary of Lighthouse manufacturing. Fortuitously, 1951 also represented the anniversary of the Great Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace that Chance Brothers was responsible for glazing with around one million square foot of sheet glass. We have painstakingly reconstructed this text to mark our Bicentenary Celebration, read on to find out more and obtain your very own copy.
A celebration has been held to mark 200 years since a famous glassworks opened. Read more on the BBC News website by clicking 'find out more' below.
Thanks to UK News Group for amplifying our Bicentenary Celebration event. You can read the full article by clicking 'find out more' below.
We are celebrated 200 years since the founding of the Chance Glassworks on Spon Lane. We marked this occasion at West Smethwick Park at the new Pavilion. We also brought back some of our engagement activities to thank all of the people who helped make 'Made in Smethwick' possible.
We are opening up the site once again as part of #HeritageOpenDays, this year is a little different as we are combining tours of the Glassworks with an afternoon event, ' What future do you want for Smethwick’s industrial past?' This is a rare opportunity to access the Chance Glassworks one of the most iconic industrial heritage sites in the Midlands and have your say about the future of Smethwicks Industrial past.
We are inviting people to help create an explorable online map that shows exactly where Chance lighthouses are located, along with photos, technical details, and the key information about their history that brings each one to life. Who commissioned them? Why in those particular locations? Which model of lens did they have? What was their unique ‘light character’ or signal? Are they still in use? Can you visit them today? And what condition are they in?
