Brummies have shared their memories of an iconic city car factory nearly 20 years on from its closure. The world famous MG Rover factory in Longbridge employed as many as 25,000 workers until its assembly lines halted with the collapse of the car maker in 2005.
The factory employed generations of Brummie families – and caused a bitter blow to the community when it closed. Numerous workers will recall the recognisable sight of the factory against the landscape of Longbridge, or the many strike days that took place.
What appears to be part of the old MG Rover factory still stands decades after the world-famous Longbridge plant closed down. We visited the estate earlier this year, where housing has been built in the view of the factory’s old boundary walls. You can read more from that visit here.
READ MORE: I visited Birmingham estate where ghost of MG Rover factory is causing a stir
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A bright red rusted structure stands at the junction of Dalmuir Road and Windsor Avenue in Longbridge among smart new build homes that sprung up around the old plant, which officially closed in April 2005.
Birmingham Mail archive pictures from the day the factory closed showed defiant workers holding signs saying “It’s not over Rover” and hauling dart boards, tools and precious belongings out of the site.
More than 100 BirminghamLive readers took to our Facebook page to share their memories of the much-loved car plant, as well as general motoring memories from across the cities.
A relic from MG Rover still stands nearly 20 years on from the factory’s closure. The corrugated structure, which is now surrounded by new build homes, is causing a stir among residents and visitors alike
Local resident Joan Goodger said: “Lived in Rednal for 43 years. Times change, the changes since the closure for residents is better. Cleaner air, less noise, less traffic, fewer people. River Rea opened up, housing, parks, walkways and exercise equipment and retail.”
Aaron James Morton reflected: “Should never have been allowed to have been knocked down, it played an important role before, during the war, and after proving many people with jobs. The way this country just allowed such a big name to go under like that was unreal.
“Yeah costly but a big restructure and new designs would have kept them going I would imagine. All it needed was new management and a new design team.” A nostalgic Bill Southam said: “Always remember when I started work in 1969 that some workers at the Austin were on £20 a week. A fantastic amount to me.
Workers outside the Rover factory in 2005
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)
“Also remember that if I needed anything I’d tell my mate who worked on the track & 9 times out of 10 he’d come around with it a couple of days later . Forerunner to Amazon!” Robert Hunt added: “Worked there from 61 to 82 fantastic place to work. Met some fantastic people. So sad to see it go under.
“Feel with better management, and investment and certainly a more understanding trade union. It would have carried on. Such a shame.” Andy Caffery said: “Did two weeks’ work experience there in summer ‘99. Nice bunch of people, even got me a leaving present of a polo shirt, badges & pen! Still have them to this day.”
Sharon Sweet said: “Reminds me of my childhood. Grandad driving through Longbridge to get to Weoley castle. The over head bridge fascinated me. So weird when I first drove down past the station and it was all gone. Very sad x.”
Marie Hendrie said: “I worked at the Austin in the sewing room. It was a nice place to work we would have fun as well as working hard. Made lots of tea for the ladies there.”
Deborah Ann Puddikina said simply: “All my mom’s family worked there, times were so different, seemingly difficult but now realising so much simpler, Brum at its finest.”