Wilson's Cooperage had been established in the early part of the 18th century in Bermondsey. In 1936 the lease on the factory expired and a modern cooperage, pictured here, combining modern equptment and the skills of traditional crafts-men, was built on the fast developing Cray Avenue.

Enlarged after the war, the firm continued to thrive, selling to the drinks trade, until the switch to metal barrels caused their demise about 1968.

Copyright: Bill Morton