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69
Bakehouses
The Factory and Workshops Act 1901 came into force in 1904 and
since then the establishment of any new underground bakehouse has been
prohibited. There were at that time 46 in use and their continued
operation was subject to a certificate of suitability by the Council.
40 such certificates were issued. The Factories Act, 1937 required
a review of these certificates in 1939 and each succeeding fifth year
and to revoke the certificate wherever the standards in specified ways
were not satisfactory. The Council adopted recommendations made by
the Metropolitan Borough Standing Committee as a guide to standards
which they would require in Finsbury. On the first survey under the
Act in 1939 it was found that only 20 certificates remained in force
the premises to which the remainder applied having been abandoned as a
bakehouse in the meantime. In some of these the standards were found
to be unsatisfactory and in most cases the owners effected improvements
but in 3 cases the certificates were revoked. Owing to wartime
conditions in 1944 and restrictions on building in 1949 the standards
required were not strictly interpreted and no certificates were revoked.
However, in 1950 a careful inspection was carried out as a preliminary
to the 1954 review in order to give the owners long notice
of the Council's probable requirements in order that they might effect
substantial improvements where necessary, be saved the expense of
lesser improvements not likely to satisfy the Council or have ample
time in which to seek alternative accommodation. In consequence most
of the owners carried out extensive improvements but in 3 cases the
certificates were revoked in 1954.
As a result of air raid damage, further voluntary closures and
the total of 6 revocations referred to, only 11 certificates remained
in force in 1954 and there have been no changes since then.
In addition to the underground bakehouses there were 6 other
bakehouses in use from the end of the war till 1950 but since then the
number has been reduced to 4.
The bakehouses have been regularly inspected each year, 43 inspections
having been made in 1955.
Preserved Food and Sausages
There have been few changes in the number of premises registered
during the past few years for the preparation or manufacture of
sausages, potted, pressed, pickled or preserved food.
At the end of 1955 72 premises were so registered.