The End of an Era
Until the later part of the twentieth
century, Darlaston was an extremely successful manufacturing
town with a large number of factories producing all kinds of
products, and providing jobs for everyone willing to work.
Sadly most of the industries disappeared in the recession
that began in the late 1970s, the industrial recession that
is still with us today. In many cases, outdated machinery,
lack of investment, and increased foreign competition led to
the demise of once-important manufacturers.
The manufacturers that survive in the
town only employ a small fraction of the local workforce.
Many people now work in the service sector, or for local
authorities. In the town’s industrial heyday, it was very
different. Pupils at Slater Street School were asked to
line-up outside the school hall on their last morning before
leaving school. At the hall door they were greeted by a
member of staff who asked each boy in turn what job he would
like to do. He was then asked to go to one of the tables
that were set-up in the hall, each manned by a
representative from a local company. On talking to the
appropriate representative, he would be offered a job. It
was as simple as that. Each boy would start work the
following Monday, thanks to the proliferation of
manufacturers.
In this post-industrial era,
Darlaston’s landscape has changed beyond recognition.
Although a few factories remain, many have been demolished
and replaced by modern housing. Others have been demolished
to leave an open space that will be redeveloped in the
future. Although the town is a cleaner place without the old
factories, it would be wealthier with them. Modern factories
are very different to the ones of old, and certainly much
cleaner. If investment and the will to make things could
return, they would provide much-needed employment, job
satisfaction, and raise many people’s standard of living.
They would also create much-needed wealth for the country,
and hopefully bring it out of the current recession.
Three views of
Wessons in Bull Lane, Moxley
