15. Amoy Sauces

Amoy Sauces

Westmill foods are responsible for things such as Pataks and Amoy sauce which you’ve probably splashed on your chickens balls. The company moved up t’North a few years back, presumably it was more economic.

Except: When they went, they forgot to close the door.

I first visited this place all alone after just driving past and seeing the door open. Unfortunately it was extremely dark (no windows) and through lack of planning I didn’t have a torch with me. So had to concentrate purely on externals:

Derelict courtyard:


Wanting more, I invited a couple of fellow explorers along, and told them to bring a torch.

I love the dramatic light inside:




This photo really sums up the feel of Urban Exploration for me:


The room with the hoppers / gantries was my favourite room. As soon as we walked in there was a kind of “wowww!” gasp. The light pouring in gives the space an almost ecclesiastical feel. I couldn’t help but feel like a child in a playground, and immediately started to climb the structures to see they’re intimate workings.





As with most sites like this the rooms that are quite easily accessible from the outside have been completely vandalised.


But then as you get to harder to reach areas, the condition improves. You have to think of inventive ways of getting in to higher, more secure rooms. When you do you are rewarded with gems, like a whole room still filled with confidential paperwork. Or the staff locker room exactly as it was the day they left.



It was time to make our exit. This site is gone, but not forgotten, unfortunately it fell victim to an arson attack on 6th June 2010. It’s remembered by me at least every time I splash some of that rich dark sauce on my chickens balls.