Around 50 former employees of EMI/HMV gathered together at The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes last Saturday (11th February), to take part in a reminiscence day organised by Quatro on behalf of client Cathedral Group.
The day was part of Cathedral’s commitment to learning more about the history of the 17.5 acre site they acquired jointly with Development Securities last year, as plans for its future are developed by the architectural team led by Studio Egret West.
Formally Hayes biggest employer, The Old Vinyl Factory was once the headquarters of EMI and His Master’s Voice. It includes the largest collection of buildings designed by Wallis Gilbert & Partners, art deco designers of The Hoover Building, Perivale, and Victoria Coach Station.
Against a backdrop of historical photographs from the recently launched PICTURE THIS exhibition, former employees talked of their fondest memories and exchanged memorabilia including photos, old news cuttings and long service award gifts.
Public consultation on the masterplan for the site, which will be developed into a vibrant, mixed-use scheme inspired by its industrial, architectural and cultural heritage, will take place in March.