Bread Factory (Steam Bakery) Baker Street Stockport Road Longsight

PROSPECTUS - This Company is formed for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants of Manchester and Salford and the surrounding districts with machine-made bread of the purest and best description. …… It is proposed to purchase a plot of land in a suitable position, and to erect thereon a large and commodious bakery, or bread factory, without cellars. All the operations connected with the process of making the bread will be conducted under thoroughly experienced management, in spacious and well-ventilated rooms, the floors of which will be made of concrete, and the walls and ceilings of glazed bricks and tiles. The most approved modern machinery will be employed, thereby entirely dispensing with hand labour in the kneading and mixing. Among other improvements patent smokeless ovens will be uses, so that there will be an entire absence of smoke, sulphur, ashes, etc. in the several bake-houses. It will be seen that special regard will be paid to cleanliness, so absolutely necessary in a business of this kind. The bread, after leaving the ovens, will be stacked in rooms specially arranged to secure its effectual cooling prior to delivery. Each loaf will bear the Company’s stamp as a guarantee of quality and weight. Due attention will be given to the making of Digestive or Granulated Wheat Meal Bread, now so extensively used. [Manchester Guardian 18 November 1882 page 4 – prospectus]

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD MACHINE BREAD FACTORY – To Builders and Contractors. All persons desirous of tendering for the erection of the above works are requested to send their names to the architect, W Telford Gunson CE 10 Marsden Square Manchester. {Manchester Guardian 10 February 1883 page 4]

It would appear that the Company succeeded in building a Steam Bakery at Baker Street, Stockport Road, Longsight, presumably to Gunson’s design. However, in September 1885, it was announced that the Company was in liquidation, and that the whole of the working plant, including an 8hp Otto gas engine by Crossley Brothers, patent dough mixing machines, baking equipment etc. In addition, five horses, 16 hands high, four two-wheel spring bread vans, and two four-wheel bread vans were offered.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 November 1882 page 4 – prospectus
Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 November 1882 page 10 – prospectus
Reference    Manchester Guardian 5 September 1885 page 12 – sales by auction
Reference    Manchester Guardian, 10 February 1883 page 4 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian, 13 February 1883 page 1 - contracts