Sunderland girls in training at the Old Eye Infirmary in Stockton Road in 1945. The building was taken over that year by a firm of tailors to prepare key personnel for their new clothing factory on Wearside.placeholder image
Sunderland girls in training at the Old Eye Infirmary in Stockton Road in 1945. The building was taken over that year by a firm of tailors to prepare key personnel for their new clothing factory on Wearside. | se

Sunderland Retro: 15 factories where you could have clocked on in the past

By Chris Cordner

Digital specialist in nostalgia

Published 24th Jun 2025, 13:06 GMT

Explore the memories of Sunderland's factories where you or someone you know might have clocked on in years gone by. Check if your former workplace is part of this historical journey.

Plesseys, Pyrex, Vaux and Hepworths. We have them all and plenty more besides.

We have 15 great Sunderland Echo archives.

See if your former workplace is among them.

In case you missed it;

Nostalgic Sunderland 2000s Memories

19 nostalgic sights in 1980s Sunderland

Retro SAFC classic games against their first 13 PL opponents

A Post Office telecommunications chief, K H Cadbury visited Plesseys in 1972 and was seen talking to Norma Douglas from Sunderland.

5. Plesseys in 1972

A Post Office telecommunications chief, K H Cadbury visited Plesseys in 1972 and was seen talking to Norma Douglas from Sunderland. | se

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Another pride of Sunderland industry 50 years ago. Here's the Austin and Pickersgill yard in 1974.

6. Austin and Pickersgill in 1974

Another pride of Sunderland industry 50 years ago. Here's the Austin and Pickersgill yard in 1974. | se

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Ella Dodds on her retirement from Hepworth's factory in Pallion. She is pictured, centre, receiving her bouquet from Lily Taylor, a quality supervisor, in 1976.

7. Hepworths in 1976

Ella Dodds on her retirement from Hepworth's factory in Pallion. She is pictured, centre, receiving her bouquet from Lily Taylor, a quality supervisor, in 1976. | se Photo: Sunderland Echo

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Stormy weather for this Sunderland Echo photographer's visit to Coles Cranes in May 1980.

8. Coles Cranes in 1980

Stormy weather for this Sunderland Echo photographer's visit to Coles Cranes in May 1980. | w3 Photo: SE

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