Revamped Horlicks factory 'will be there forever'

Daisy StephensBBC News
News imageBerkeley Group Before and after of the old Horlicks factoryBerkeley Group
The old Horlicks factory before and after the refurbishment

An iconic landmark that has been restored and turned into flats will "be there forever", a developer has said.

The Horlicks factory in Slough, Berkshire, opened in 1908 and was acquired by Berkeley Homes in 2018.

The refurbishment has seen many of the original features preserved - including the iconic red lettering, the chimney, the clock tower and a listed war memorial.

Elkie Russell, managing director for Berkeley Homes, said she was "so proud" to be giving the building its next "chapter".

News imageBerkeley Group The old Horlicks factoryBerkeley Group
The building became operational in 1908

Ms Russell said redeveloping the building was a "huge responsibility".

"So many locals will have such an affiliation with the factory," she said.

News imageBerkeley Group Before and after of the old Horlicks chimneyBerkeley Group
The iconic chimney was cleaned and had letters added to it

Ms Russell said the refurbishment was "complex".

The original Horlicks lettering has been moved to the pedestrian walkway through the site, and new letters have been put on the roof, with a roof terrace behind them.

The Horlicks chimney has been cleaned and has had lettering and coloured lighting installed.

The clock tower is now accessible to residents and has a co-working space inside.

The war memorial was temporarily removed for restoration, and is now situated in the site's Memorial Square.

News imageBerkeley Group The red lettering on the pedestrian walkwayBerkeley Group
The original red lettering has been put along the pedestrian walkway
News imageBerkeley Group The new roof of the buildingBerkeley Group
New red letters now sit on top of the building alongside the roof terrace

"We've spent over £40m just on the factory itself," said Ms Russell.

As well as the roof terrace and the co-working space, it also contains 161 apartments, a gym, a cinema room, a cafe, a lounge, a nursery and a pedestrian cycle route linking the train station and the town centre.

News imageBerkeley Group Before and after of the old Horlicks clock towerBerkeley Group
The clock tower (shown here before and after) now contains a co-working space for residents

"It's been restored and given its future sustainable life," said Ms Russell.

"It'll be there forever."

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