SEGRO and Slough Museum celebrate over 100 years of Slough Trading Estate history in new exhibition
SEGRO has teamed up with the Slough Museum to launch a new exhibition to celebrate over 100 years of history on the Slough Trading Estate
Open to members of the public, the ‘100 Objects over 100 Years’ exhibition shines a light on the rich heritage of the Slough Trading Estate, displaying 100 historical items of interest, which bring to life the evolution of the Estate since its beginnings as a repair site for World War 1 military vehicles in 1920, to the present day as Europe’s largest trading estate under single ownership.
Over the course of the 20th century, Slough Trading Estate has played a critical role in British manufacturing and popular culture. In 1932, Mars established a production facility on the Estate, where it subsequently invented the Mars Bar; in 1964 iconic television programme, Thunderbirds, was created by Gerry Anderson and between 1964 - 1969 it was the manufacturing hub for the famous Ford GT40, which won the Le Mans 24-hour race – an unprecedented four times.
Items on display range from a 1920s jar of Mentholatum balm to a display of Ragus sugars and syrups. The stars of the show will be a reconstructed Thunderbirds studio and a life size Ford GT40 car. The exhibition will also feature a high-tech display, courtesy of Equinix, that will highlight how data is a new commodity for the Estate.
Slough Museum relocated to the Slough Trading Estate in 2022, when as part of its Responsible SEGRO commitment to invest in local communities and environments, SEGRO provided a permanent home for Slough Museum Trust with the aim of connecting local communities with the town’s heritage. The space has enabled Slough Museum Trust to continue developing displays and interacting with residents to collect stories that reflect Slough's history.
Slough Museum is located at 72 Buckingham Avenue and the exhibition is open to the public daily from 10am to 4pm and will run for two weeks, until Friday 6 October 2023. Entry is free of charge.
James Craddock, Managing Director, UK, at SEGRO, said:
“It is important to look back and remind ourselves of how Slough Trading Estate has remained successful over so many years. This exhibition provides a showcase of the Estate’s wonderful legacy, telling a fascinating story from its infancy repairing damaged military vehicles from the battle fields of the First World War to the thriving business community it is today.
“Slough Trading Estate has never stood still, continuously evolving to provide a vibrant workplace for local, national and international businesses of all shapes and sizes across a diverse range of sectors. We are enormously grateful for the work from Slough Museum to bring this exhibition to life and we look forward to welcoming members of the local community to join us in taking a step back in time to celebrate our past.”
Jaye Isherwood, Exhibition Manager, at Slough Museum, said:
“This exhibition will bring together a collection of objects that piece together how Slough Trading Estate has evolved throughout the years and it will provide a chance for the local community to connect to its extraordinary history. We are delighted to honour the many businesses and workers located in Slough at this exciting event.”
About SEGRO
SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 10.3 million square metres of space (110 million square feet) valued at £21.0 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries.
For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive.
A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGRO’s purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent.
Striving for the highest standards of innovation, sustainable business practices and enabling economic and societal prosperity underpins SEGRO’s ambition to be the best property company.
See www.SEGRO.com for further information.
About Slough Museum
Slough Museum is an independent, accredited museum and registered charity, with a unique collection of more than 6,000 objects and 5,000 photographs which tell the fascinating history of Slough.
Its mission is to inspire, engage, and educate through imaginative and inclusive programming and displays exploring and celebrating Slough’s past, present and future.
The Museum opened in 1986 and for more than 25 years has been committed to collecting, documenting, and preserving Slough’s local heritage and ensuring Slough’s rich history is made accessible to all.
Slough Museum will be delivering a series of heritage and art pop-ups during 2023 and 2024, alongside its permanent displays on Slough history within The Curve.