New life injected into Sentinel Works site by firm’s major investment
The major refurbishment of a famous precision engineering works was celebrated as Shrewsbury's MP met the new bosses and was given an extensive tour of the premises.
Shrewsbury company Morris Lubricants has rejuvenated the site of the town’s old Sentinel Works in Whitchurch Road.
It has been renamed the Sentinel Trade Park by Shrewsbury-based Paterson Enterprises, parent company of Morris Lubricants and Morris Leisure, which now owns the 8.5-acre site.
“This is a hugely exciting move that has brought new life to an area of our town which traditionally has missed out on investment in recent decades,” said Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley following her visit.
“It’s an area of the town that’s been crying out for more amenities, and this move by Morris Lubricants, as the landowner, has begun that exciting revitalisation process, facilitating the establishment of the new NHS pre-operative unit in former warehouse and office space, a brand new Costa coffee shop, and a convenient new base for Lakeside buses.
“All this has created jobs and generated further investment into the north of the town.”
Morris Lubricants has expanded its distribution enterprise away from the company’s Castle Foregate manufacturing facility to the Sentinel Trade Park – with its enhanced logistics – as part of a £1.5 million investment.
In the early years of the 20th century, Sentinel Works was one of Shrewsbury’s biggest employers and produced the iconic Sentinel steam waggons. The premises have seen many illustrious owners over the years including Rolls-Royce, Vickers, Perkins and Doncasters.
Mrs Buckley added: “It was fantastic to visit the Morris Lubricants site and witness all their hard work in expanding their business. I was really appreciative to receive a detailed tour of all aspects of the site, which included the storage warehouse and the vast yard they built themselves. It was also interesting to learn more of the history of the building, having historically been the home to the Sentinel works – renowned for precision engineering, such as its steam waggons.
“In particular, it was great to see the refurbishments which have taken place, transforming an old industrial site into a thriving centre of business in our local community. In the last year, they have doubled their capacity to 5,500 pallets of oil, and deliver their stock right across the world.”
