Beavor and Collett Leighton Buzzard

The Beavor and Collett Works in 1927

Beavor and Collett, a cement and plaster manufacturer, was an early forerunner of the host of businesses and industries in Grovebury Road at the time of writing [2009]. The buildings stood on the north-west of Grovebury Road, opposite the spur leading down to Grovebury Farm. Under the terms of the Rating and Valuation Act 1925 every piece of land and building in the country was assessed to determine the rates to be paid on them.  

Leighton Buzzard was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting Beavor and Collett [DV1/R80/62] noted that they both owned and occupied the premises. He described the buildings as: "Brick and slate building cement floated floor and pit for loading, brick piers in centre of building supporting rolled steel joists bearing part of first floor, substantially built"

The main building measured 33 feet 6 inches by 22 feet by 27 feet plus a corrugated iron lean-to shed on a brick base, used as a boiler house. Another brick and corrugated iron store building measured 13 feet 9 inches by 40 feet by 10 feet ("poor building"). The valuer remarked: "Buildings old, very fair repair, close to sidings for loading purposes". Machinery comprised a 12 horsepower steam engine, a Marshall and Sons boiler 18 feet long and 6 feet diameter ("Lancashire Boiler fairly old") with 1½ inch shafting of 45 feet, two large mixing machines and two small mixing machines.

The site of Beavor and Collett March 2009