Bottling works built in 1892 It was in 1987 that Coca-Cola Enterprises took over the brand and bottling at Colwall and sadly, 23 years later, in October 2010, the factory closed. With the closing of the Malvern Water Bottling Factory at Colwall, there was concern for the future of not only the site but also the heritage artefacts. Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells in conjunction with Coca-Cola devised a plan to ensure local custodianship of the key items. One item of particular local interest was the Stone Bottle Fountain. The two and a half ton fountain was removed to a safe location pending installation on a suitable alternative site. Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells, working with the showground management and Alchemy Gardens implemented the plan for the fountain to be permanently sited at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. The relocation was completed in October 2011 and thereafter the fountain is on display in a purpose built setting just inside the main south gate to the showground. Seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors, it is a fitting tribute to 160 years of bottling Malvern Water by Schweppes. Following the closure of the bottling plant, Coca-Cola entered into extended discussions and consultations with the local community over possible re-use of the site. After one year, in spite of several possibilities there was no sustainable proposal. As a result the site was disposed of to developers and the intention is to develop it for housing. The Tank House will be retained as a heritage feature of the plan and there will also be a shop. We await progress with this proposal.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:04:02 +0000
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