We Explored The Abandoned Huddersfield Black Cats LTD Fireworks Factory - Abandoned Places

[@bigdave12345567890]

a very iconic site ! growing up in the 80s going to school about this time of year via local newsagents and spending about quater of a hour just looking at the fireworks , you could literally smell the gunpowder as well . then we got to play with them as we were leaving secondry school . standard were the main supplier and also had astra , benwell , brocks ... then the laws changed no bangers , air bombs , restrictions on noise and rocket sizes and who knows what else . black cat fire works turned up in the early 90s as well ,while they were competing with standard theyre fireworks were shit hot . then all that passed and we have the rubbish we get these days . a selection box of fireworks about 2ftx1ft strip off all the outer boxing and bullshit , the actual firework tubes and stuff proberly wouldnt fill a pencil case .

[@BeardedReality]

Yes an iconic site indeed super shame it's closed

[@mraidymaddful]

We lived in Netherton in the late 70's as kids. We used to walk up here and go to the quarry around the back where we would pick up unburned fireworks, take them home and make what we called 'Genie Puffs' with the gunpowder. We did some daft stuff as kids, lol..........

[@carolequinn3522]

I used to work here in the 70s everyone knew everyone, usually whole families and friends worked there great atmosphere the bungalows at the entrance were where the caretakers of the site lived. Further up was where you passed through the entrance shed before you entered the site this is where you would leave any cigarettes and lighters in your pigeon holes . Across from this shed was the massive canteen where you could buy tickets the day before for your hot meals . Then further up was the main big building the offices. Beyond that was the massive shed which made the boxes for the different selection of fireworks this is where I worked. Then Beyond that was the filling and rolling sheds , right at the back of the site was the ' magazines ' where the fireworks were stored for obvious reasons the fireworks were kept away from everything else just incase the unthinkable happened, as unfortunately it did years before I worked there , there was a nasty explosion and people did get hurt.

[@BeardedReality]

Thank you for the extra info really informative and appreciated. hope you enjoyed

[@pyroplim6967]

I did the fireworks for the local rotary club from mid 1970s to 2014 and loved going to pick the fireworks up from here.The big wooden crates were like treasure chests to open.When it all ended in the 80s we then used Kimbolton which were amazing but the Standard fireworks hold a special place in my history. Great video

[@BeardedReality]

Glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for sharing with us

[@susanmetcalf1500]

I worked there around mid sixties. I enjoyed my time there, I worked in a few departments. Also the lovely Personnel Manager Tony Whittaker, he was lovely.

[@BeardedReality]

Ohhh awesome thanks for sharing that with us

[@brianpickersgill2421]

Light up the sky with Standard Fireworks !

[@BeardedReality]

And now no more

[@anthonyperkins7556]

I used to love Standard Fireworks as a child, and I still like them today EVEN AT 53!

[@jayrobthorn6847]

Same here, it was standard I grew up with in the 80s as a youngster, its a real shame this site will soon be no longer, I really miss the British made standard fireworks, I loved their uniqueness, these modern Chinese fireworks just don’t do it for me in the same way.

[@anthonyperkins7556]

​​@@jayrobthorn6847The early Chinese imports weren't too bad (which I think should've been kept with, the relabelled Vulcan Maverick Shogun ranges from Inter-Oriental Fireworks of China), however the later product consolidation with Black Cat Fireworks, marked the downfall where Standard Fireworks quickly became the poor man's fireworks brand sold in Supermarkets and select few other retailers with thinner poorer effects, although things have started to improve with the Sovereign Dynasty And Emperor premium selection boxes of fireworks which are much much better.

[@BeardedReality]

Real shame 100 year old business leaving the town

[@BeardedReality]

very much agreed and it is sad that more businesses are leaving the area

[@gabriiallek7727]

used to work here, my mum did too when she was younger

[@BeardedReality]

Ohh thats mad - hope you enjoyed the video :)

[@carolequinn3522]

@@BeardedReality yeah I certainly did. Thanks 😊

[@susanmetcalf1500]

I also remember the huge free box of fireworks we received when we went home on Bonfire Night. I remember working there with a lady called Olga when the Aberfan Disaster occurred. We had the radio on in a plastic bag. We were horrified and so upset that day.

[@BeardedReality]

Yeah heard there was an explosion there and aha pretty cool you got free fireworks seems like a nice touch

[@Gvcuk]

Great explore, thanks for sharing. I remember back in the day when they were standard fireworks, in the late 80’s my parents would buy a selection box, and some fireworks the fuse would just burn out and not ignite the actual firework. My parents would toss them on the bonfire, and 5 minutes later all of a sudden they would go off with a bang lol. Shame you didn’t try every door as you walked past quite a few that looked locked, but you never know unless you try them 🤞💪😉

[@BeardedReality]

Aha thats a fun mad story thanks for sharing and yeah we were gonna try some later on but in case they were alarmed and wanted to do the other parts first tried a few but they were locked

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Great video. I think those fireworks you found were display dummies for shop windows or trade fair displays, so that customers could see what the actual firework looked like safely.

[@BeardedReality]

Nah they were real ones The place is meant to be full of them still - probs in the main building as they are currently getting rid of them i believe - glad you enjoyed

[@uha6477]

Quality explore! Good vid. It's astonishing that it's just been left like that. It's a massive site, they should do something with it. Those houses still seem okay too. Just build some more and get people living there.

[@BeardedReality]

Glad you enjoyed the video and yeah I reckon the site will be used for housing makes sense with the space

[@uha6477]

On second thoughts the only thing I can think of that's stopping anything happening with the site is that after over a hundred years of making fireworks it's contaminated. I can't imagine what they were using was environmentally friendly, and I dare say a few of the buildings will contain asbestos.

[@artiexr222]

Awesome video places like this need documenting so I never see the problem with you filming them nice work. I remember delivering butties there in the 90,s for a bakery I worked at it truly is a massive site.

[@BeardedReality]

Appcaite the support and my thoughts exactly places are constantly being demolished etc so it's nice to film them before they go forever as they hold many memories for people

[@Why24244]

Seeing some of these buildings make you think wether it was a combination of reasons as to why the company left, is it financial only or dose health and safety issues play a role, if your making explosive surely you have to protect your workforce with blast walls and adequate fire fighting materials none of those buildings looks like it could contain a small firework going off let alone a container full.

[@BeardedReality]

Believe it is because of a decline in business and the availability of cheap Chinese fireworks

[@6yphVal]

The site used to have 200 hundred or so little sheds all spaced apart with blast walls separating each compartment allowing 1 to 2 workers max per half or building depending upon operation carried out and material hazards at hand. They where all where the car park areas are and got knocked down around 2007 sadly and some others got knocked down 4 years ago so you mainly have the long pinion alley block left standing in the original shed designs. Each building had a stone brick wall blast wall dividing each shed also for extra precaution. Most of what is left are packaging and storage bays only.

[@sanjitghosh4648]

My first full time job there at Standard fireworks in 1990, worked there for six months, they employed hundreds of people!

[@BeardedReality]

Ohh mad thanks for sharing with us

[@rickgreen3125]

The bungalows , the owner live down south and his wife hated coming to Huddersfield so he had the exact replica of his house built , so when his Mrs came up North , she would feel at home.

[@BeardedReality]

Ohh thats crazy thanks for the extra info

[@luisfinney9234]

Came across this on Facebook cracking content! Love to see local places being explored being from holmfirth myself be giving your other videos a watch for sure!

[@BeardedReality]

Glad you enjoyed the content so much to see

[@hulkkingdopeonebdbscrew8990]

Very dope place man

[@BeardedReality]

Glad you enjoyed my dude

[@andyreact]

Looks like a good place to explore with a drone! 👍

[@BeardedReality]

Yeah would be awesome to see it from the air as the space is massive

[@rickgreen3125]

And the site was taken over by the MOD in 1940 to make munitions for the war effort , mainly land mines.

[@BeardedReality]

Ohh thats cool did not know that thanks for sharing with us :)

[@Jrpyro-hm2vs]

Thank you so much for sharing this it was so amazing 👏

[@BeardedReality]

You are so welcome :)

[@connorjames6307]

Anyone else spot that figure when he looked at the work stations literally black figure running away to the left #6:54 😮

[@BeardedReality]

Aha don't freak my out 😅 lol

[@connorjames6307]

@@BeardedReality i was seeing things think its top of a plant lol

[@Fatha1948]

The machine with the brushes was for rewinding the fire hoses

[@BeardedReality]

Ahh thanks for letting me know

[@mrblue4233]

Great video pal 👍 the place is massive

[@BeardedReality]

aye glad you enjoyed my dude

[@justinstocks1255]

i once lived in the house at 38:37 for about 6 months , my ex used to work for black cat and we had a fire at home so moved in there while the repairs were done !

[@BeardedReality]

Ohhh crazy thanks for sharing with us. Yeah could not work out what was going on with them the security dude said used for workers housing staying over etc

[@justinstocks1255]

i was told it was for overseas visitors to stop in when they visited the factory - was very dated inside , looked like it hadnt been decorated since the 80's ! was a good laugh staying there though ... @@BeardedReality

[@amp6887]

Great explore

[@BeardedReality]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JamieIves]

Moonlight Sonata? Lovely

[@chromatophore881]

Better than the abnormally loud "I GOT FIVE ON IT!" that it usually assaults my earholes with. Was worse than the old Bodyform tv adverts that you might remember if you are of a certain age.

[@BeardedReality]

Cannot beat the classics ;)

[@BeardedReality]

but but I got 5 on it lol glad you like the new intro :)

[@angelabutterworth8816]

It looks such a state to say it only been empty since early this year. Saying that I don't think they actually made them there like they did when standard fire works ownded it. Most of those outbuilding look like they haven't been used for years.

[@jayrobthorn6847]

Most of it has been disused since the late 90s is when the company stopped manufacturing on the site, they only used a small portion of the site for storage of the Chinese made black cat items and some stuff made for the actual standard brand to keep the old name going, I personally don’t think the site should’ve been passed for residential purposes with all the gunpowder and chemicals that will be saturated in the ground over hundred years, the toxic substances that will be on that land will be tremendous, it should’ve been overlooked surely.

[@BeardedReality]

Yes definitely a lot of packing sites however they did make the fireworks there. However, I assume with a falling demand they started to stop using a lot of the site until they have now said right we are done lol

[@BeardedReality]

I mean spacing makes sense for housing believe they are still doing environmental checks etc but mad how a business going for 100 years poof gone

[@anthonyperkins7556]

I noticed some live fireworks left over, I would've took them home and let them off on November 5th.

[@BeardedReality]

Aha yeah a few live ones left and meant to be loads more that they are dismantling atm - However we don't take anything abandoned or not :)

[@timo9934]

where is this id love to see it for my self cause im a big fireworks fan!!! and a great video❤

[@BeardedReality]

Glad you enjoyed its Huddersfield

[@angelabutterworth8816]

My home town too.

[@BeardedReality]

Aha Huddersfield for the win :)

[@riccosoulman]

Great explore. That guy with you looks like a murderer 😆

[@BeardedReality]

Aha that will make Gavin laugh 😂

[@angelabutterworth8816]

Just imagine what those calender girls look like now😅

[@BeardedReality]

Just put one of those pictures next to them and then you can use your imagination 😅😅 lol

[@rickgreen3125]

And they were used for training the staff in 1st aid , health and safety issues etc.

[@BeardedReality]

And makes sense used for offices and training ad well

[@flashcracker1]

I grew up with Standard Fireworks in the 1960's. They were the best of them all and our country had many different manufacturers at that time. Standard's factory was in fact the largest in all of Europe many decades ago. Chinese domination has brought about the end of all firework making in the country which is very sad, as indeed it is watching your video and seeing a once great company now empty and derelict. Another reminder of the downward spiral of UK manufacturing.

[@BeardedReality]

Agreed so many great industries gone due to cheap imports - glad you enjoyed the video

[@timmcgrath1552]

Grandma worked here during war

[@BeardedReality]

Ohh that's awesome thanks for sharing with us

[@rickgreen3125]

700 homes going up shortly , so it will all be flattened.

[@BeardedReality]

Yep heard this crazy but there is a need for homes

[@6yphVal]

How long ago was it you went here? was it only 7 days ago or a few months? Lovely place used to work here.

[@BeardedReality]

Erm prob past few weeks to a month

[@6yphVal]

@@BeardedReality Ah I heard Gypsies have got on recently and trashed the place I was hoping it was wrong but not sure what its like now.

[@6yphVal]

I think it was 4 weeks ago they supposedly got on.

[@lucabikes]

where abouts in huddersfield is this

[@BeardedReality]

Huddersfield not hard to find

[@granvillebloor6569]

Is it still up

[@BeardedReality]

The buildings as far as I am aware are still there