Research Forum

Biscuit Factory in Weston-super-Mare?
published by Pat Hase on Tue, 08/10/2013 - 23:23

I've had this query from Australia.

"My grandfather Kenneth Cyril BIGGS lived in Weston-Super-Mare. Born 1904 and migrated to Australia in 1910 with his mother Amelia BIGGS and father Edward William BIGGS with his 10 brothers and sisters. My grandfather would go to a biscuit factory close by to take the biscuits that used to be tossed out, the broken ones. He and a friend used to wag school to go to this factory. I am researching the name of that factory and where it was in Weston super mare and what is there in its place now."

The BIGGS family was living in Wooller Road at the time of the 1901 census. Can anyone suggest where this Biscuit Factory might have been? Perhaps it was a Bakery which specialised in cakes and biscuits rather than bread - I will pass on any suggestions.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Mon, 28/10/2013 - 17:19

Although no one has posted any information about this - the volunteers who help in the Library on Saturdays have been trying to come up with a solution. In spite of several enquiries no one knows of a Biscuit Factory. But there are two possible options

As the family lived in Wooler Road they would have been very near the Cooperative Store which was in Baker Street on the corner of George Street - Perhaps they had broken biscuits?
Brian Austin suggests that he might have been referring to The Star Coffee House which was on the corner of Alfred Street and Meadow Street. He believes this catered almost as a soup kitchen and might well have baked on the premises.

Any more ideas?

Submitted by DebbieD on Tue, 29/10/2013 - 17:29

Edgar Brown is a family grocer in 1901 and a retired grocer in 1911 living at Holme Cott. In 1911 this is listed as 10 Stafford Place. Son Arthur is a cafe proprietor in 1901.

By 1911 Arthur Edgar Brown is living at Moorlands, Neva Road and is Managing Director of Brown Brothers' Stores Ltd (General Grocery Stores).
Living with parents at Holme Cottage in 1911 are Agnes & Margaret Brown - Fancy Cake Ornamentors (part-time) and sisters Mary Ellen and Edith both part-time Fancy Biscuit Makers.

A quick google of Brown Brothers, Weston-super-Mare brings up the following details of property sales relating to a cake factory in North Street.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=168-ddbrsd&cid=-1#-1