glebe sugar refinery

the former Glebe Sugar Refinery near the ocean terminal on Crawfurd Street in Greenock. A refinery was on this site from 1831 under various names and trading partners over the years. Mr Abram Lyle was managing partner in 1873.

The 19th century was the heyday of sugar in Greenock with over a dozen refineries active in the town in the early Victorian era. A steady decline in the 20th century culminated in the closure of the last, the Tate & Lyle refinery, in 1997.

I took some photos around Greenock this morning although the light was particularly dull. this was one of the better shots. :)