Robert Garnett was born on 6 June 1830 in Penketh, Warrington. Employed as a Cabinet maker from a young age, he became a generous local benefactor to many churches and charities and even laid the foundation stone at Penketh methodist church. Despite having started the ambitious project to build the iconic cabinet works after having seen his own business grow to great lengths in the late 19th century, Robert Garnett died just three years before the factory opened in 1906. The business did however carry on in his name for well over half a century until the towns industrial prominence had eventually started to disappear. In its current state the factory has been swallowed up by the growth of the town around it since its doors closed some 40 years ago. Despite having travelled all over the country I've never attempted this place that's effectively on my doorstep, mostly because of its central location but also because it's no secret that the words 'death trap' are an understatement. The place is genuinely falling apart - weather has not been kind to her, and the majority of the site is sealed so well that even the owners would have to drill through concrete to get in, but we did get to explore some of the lower sections that could support our weight which is a bonus since its demolition plans have recently been discussed in the local paper. Its Italian designed tower has stood proud above the Warrington skyline for over a century but soon this will all be gone.
