Corby Steelworks - Stewarts and Lloyds
Stewart and Lloyds Steelworkers - Circa 1960's
In the 1920's, Stewarts and Lloyds decided to build a steelworks complex in Corby. The company originated in Scotland, and decided to manufacture steel tubing, and other products in the town. The scottish community moved from Glasgow to Corby, and the town founded it's nickname, known as 'Little Scotland'. Corby started life as a little village, and the work was thriving, orders were coming in by the hundreds. The company built houses in the town to accommodate the workers and their families.
Boom and Bust
During the late 70's and early 80's, Stewarts and Lloyds were now known as British Steel. Margaret Thatcher came into power, the orders dwindled, recession was rife, and unemployment from the company was on the cards. Through no fault of their own, the steelworks were forced to make redundancies, resulting approximate 8000 workers being laid off. Some of the families moved back to Scotland, some were still employed by British Steel, some were out of work and decided to stay in Corby, hoping something would show up at the Job Centre. There was a glimmer of survival, such as major companies as Weetabix and Golden Wonder who were the main employers in the town, and still are to this day.
A glimmer of hope came in the early 80's when the Americans placed a large order to British Steel which would vitalise Corby. Right at the very last minute, the Americans cancelled the deal. Corby however, survived the blow.
In 1999, British Steel was taken over by Dutch company Corus. It is now rumoured that an Indian firm is making a bid for the company.
The Future
Corby is now getting back on it's feet. The town reportedly has the biggest housing development in Europe, and the town centre is being regenerated. The railway station, which closed in 1990, is being discussed as being reopened and active for the town, bringing in tourism such as the newly-built Rockingham Speedway and encouraging Londoner's to move home to the new developments, where a commuter line will be built.
This is the Corus main entrance in Corby as it is today. Currently now employs approximately 400 workers. Now mainly making the hockey stick, 8M and 12M columns.
Next time you see a Corus Column, think of Corby!
Related Internet Links:
http://heritage.scotsman.com/people.cfm?id=2089062005
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/asop/asop/scotland.shtml
