Somerdale Factory

Somerdale was a chocolate factory located in Keynsham near Bristol in South-west England, closed by Kraft foods in 2011.

As Quakers, the factory was built with social facilities, including playing fields and a large recreational sports grounds, which still today serves the town of Keynsham.

Labour MP for Wansdyke, Dan Norris said "news of the factory's closure is a hard and heavy blow, not just to the workforce, but to the Keynsham community as a whole".

One local resident started a campaign to urge English Heritage to protect the site, and preserve the history of the factory.

[9] The remains of a small Roman villa, about 50 feet square, are in the grounds of Somerdale Factory, near the main road entrance to the site.

[18] In the hope of continuing the tradition of The Fry Club as the social hub for the area, a new building was opened in November 2015 to provide leisure, health and entertainment services as well as facilities for weddings and private parties.

[20][21] The word SOMERDALE was spelt out in ballast stone along the South side of the GWR railway embankment, but has become less visible in recent years.

Somerdale Factory soon after opening
Factory at night, during last month of operation
Fry Club, which will be rebuilt in another location
Somerdale Roman villa in 2010