New Leisure Facility for Aycliffe
One of Aycliffe’s former World War II munitions factories will spring back to life this summer when it re-opens as a £1.1m mixed leisure facility.
The former Presswork Metals factory, which built in the early 1940s to build bombs and bullets for the war effort, has stood empty for over six years.
The site, renamed “ROF 59” – (Royal Ordnance Factory 59), its original name is due to open with a range of family activities on offer, creating 20 new jobs.
Aycliffe construction firm Finley Structures acquired the factory on Durham Way South two years ago and £750,000 has been spent on a new steel frame for the 70,000 square foot premises.
A further £400,000 has been spent fitting out the new building, which will include a restaurant, aptly named The Blitz, and a bar/lounge called The Bunker.
It will also include a huge activity centre, featuring one of the biggest climbing walls in the country, 20 metres tall, which will be managed by local firm Rockantics.
New staff took up their roles this week, including a chef, restaurant/bar manager, restaurant supervisor, bar supervisor, and reception supervisor along with three receptionists and two team leaders for the activity centre.
It’s hoped ROF 59 will be open to the public sometime in July.
“We’re working around the clock to get everything finished and open” said Finley Structures managing director Julie Finley. “It will be a fantastic facility once completed. We’ve spent a lot of time on attention to detail, making sure it will be a great experience for all the family.
“We’re delighted with the staff appointments made but we’re still recruiting and should all be in place in the next two weeks.”
The munitions factories in Aycliffe employed 17,000 workers, mostly women, during the war and was an extremely important part of the country’s war effort.
ROF 59 will include several items of ‘Aycliffe Angels’ memorabilia which will enable the town’s proud history of the munitions-making factories to live on.
Part of an old railway line, used to transport the munitions to the main railway line which was uncovered during foundation works, will also be featured including a model spitfire and archive photographs.
Julie Finley added: “We recognise the important historical significance of the factory and the Aycliffe Angels so we have deliberately retained much of the original brickwork and signage within the building.
“Aycliffe Business Park probably wouldn’t exist today without the Royal Ordnance Factories, and we feel it’s important to preserve that heritage for many years to come.”
Anyone who’d like more information about the jobs at ROF 59 can email p.hadwin@finleystructures.co.uk
