Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, recently visited Bata Heritage Centre for one of its biggest open days in recent times.
East Tilbury’s Bata Factory never ceases to fascinate its visitors. A shoe factory constructed in 1932 by a Czech industrialist where factory workers lived in the same community, read the same newspaper, socialised together, and played on the same football pitch. It is even said that West Ham trained on Bata’s pitch and once lost to Bata’s workers. “Bata-ville”, as it became known, was something to behold.
Stephen went to Bata Heritage Centre’s Open Day and met the heritage team working to keep memories of Bata alive and teach visitors about its unique way of life and history.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “The Bata Factory remains an important part of our local history. It is a defining pillar of East Tilbury’s architectural heritage and I applaud the heritage team for all the work they do to safeguard the site and the memories it has created over the decades.
If you have never visited, I would recommend it. To learn more, visit: www.bataheritagecentre.org.uk”
