Chance Glassworks, Smethwick - A Sandwell & West Midlands Gem!

The Chance Glassworks was in Smethwick from 1822 until they closed down in 1981. Leaving their buildings derelict for decades. They produced sheet glass, optical glass and lighthouse glass.


Where is the Chance Glassworks?

The Chance Glassworks is at Palace Drive, near the Sandwell Industrial Estate, Spon Lane South, Smethwick, B66 1QJ

 

In brief

The Chance Brothers produced glass at this site in Smethwick during the 19th century. They continued to operate at this site next to the Birmingham Canal New Mainline until they closed down in 1981. Since then, the warehouses have gotten quite derelict over the following decades, and covered by scaffolding. But the Chance Heritage Trust is hoping that the buildings will get restored soon. The buildings are also visible from the Birmingham to Wolverhampton railway line adjacent to the canal.

Chance GlassworksChance Glassworks (March 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Chance Glassworks - history

The main building dates to 1847, and consists of seven storeys of warehouses and offices.

Built of brick with hipped slate roofs.

It became a Grade II listed building in 1978.

Chance Bros moved out of the building in 1981.

It has laid in a derelict state for over 40 years, covered in scaffolding.

The Chance Heritage Trust is hoping that the buildings can be restored and used by the community.

It's visible from three forms of transport: the Birmingham canals of the 18th century, the Birmingham to Wolverhampton railway of the 19th century, and the M5 motorway of the 20th century.

Chance GlassworksChance Glassworks (March 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The view from the train of Chance Glassworks in 2023. Video here.

Chance GlassworksChance Glassworks (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Glass made in Smethwick by Chance Bros

Chance Brothers made glass for the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Houses of Parliament (built 1840 to 1860), as well as the opal glass of all four faces of the Westminster Clock Tower which houses Big Ben.

They also made glass for telescopes and lighthouses here.

Production of glass ceased in Smethwick by 1976, the remainder of the works closed by 1981.

 

Contact details

Chance Heritage Trust

 0121 663 1053

info@chanceht.org

Correspondence to our registered address:

E R Grove & Co. Ltd,

Grove House

Coombs Wood Court

Steel Park Road

Halesowen

West Midlands

B62 8BF

Project dates

04 Apr 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com