World's first ice-cream cone factory on list of borough's treasured heritage assets

The world’s first purpose-built ice cream cone factory is among a draft list of Trafford’s most treasured historic buildings which town hall bosses want to safeguard for the future. Trafford council’s executive has approved the list, which includes historical assets, some of which are in the borough’s prized conservation areas.

Progress Works on Ayres Road in Old Trafford where the Antonelli Brothers invented the sugar cone ice cream features as well as the Prisoner of War Camp on Charcoal Road in Dunham. Others include the Manchester Carriage and Tramway Company’s Depot, at 84 Chorlton Road, Old Trafford and the Quaker Meeting House and Burial Ground where George Bradshaw, who developed the first widely-used railway timetable guide, is interred.

Raglan House, the home of John Brogden, who built the Manchester to Altrincham Railway, also features. Nominations for a final draft list of local heritage assets were made following extensive public consultation in 2021 and compiled by Greater Manchester Archaeological Advisory Service. But now there will be a second round of consultation.

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The list includes so-called’ non designated heritage assets’ in conservation areas and is intended to influence future decisions on planning applications. A report to the executive said: “The list is not definitive and further additions will be required.”

Council officers have now been given delegated authority to assess future inclusions on the list. The Joule Memorial Worthington Park in Sale, a memorial to the famous scientist James Prescott Joule features on the list along with Stallion Pound, an enclosed yard by the pond opposite the carriage block at Dunham Old Park.

Coun Liz Patel, executive member for economy and regeneration, told the meeting how the council had been using funding from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, supported by Historic England, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Greater Manchester Archaeological Advisory Service to compile the list.

She said there would be a second round of public consultation before the final list would be adopted and the ‘local list’ could not ever be considered ‘definitive’.

“Heritage value in the future will be found through our local planning and development processes,” she said. “The benefits of such a list are significant and will have a positive impact on our borough’s street scene, securing attractive and distinctive aspects of our local heritage and built environment.”

Coun Patel said the list must be considered at the beginning of any planning and development process.

Coun Cath Hynes, executive member for leisure, arts, culture and heritage, said: “Trafford really does have such a rich heritage. Identifying, protecting and enhancing such assets will expand access to culture and creativity across the borough.

“Hopefully, this will further enhance investment into our arts and cultural heritage.”