Capturing stories

Commercial gas manufacture was first developed in Birmingham by the Scottish Engineer William Murdoch. Murdoch pioneered the first commercial gas plants which were installed in mills and factories from 1805 - primarily for lighting which improved the working conditions, extended the hours of work and reduced the risk of fire.

The Gas Light and Coke Company was established in London in 1812. Soon after many other gas companies were established, first in London, then in Preston, Lancashire -  the first provincial town to be lit by gas.

Many new uses for gas were developed in the 19th century including cooking and heating, becoming more popular from the 1870’s. 

During the first world war, some gasworks suffered considerable damage, but it was the loss of the labour force which impacted the industry the most with many workers signing up for military service. Gas was heavily used in the manufacture of arms, and the by-products of gas production were vital for the manufacture of explosives, dyes and fuels.

During the 1920s and 1930s, many gas companies faced merger or bankruptcy. Ownership of the industry was split between large companies such as the Gas Light and Coke Company, municipal gas departments, and many small companies.

The extensive damage to gasworks and infrastructure during the Second World War led to major reconstruction and reorganisation.  A central part of this was the Gas Act of 1948 which nationalised the industry in England, Scotland and Wales. This was followed by a programme of modernisation, resulting in fewer, larger and more efficient gasworks.

In 1967, the gas industry changed as North Sea gas was brought in via the Easington Terminal, and conversion from manufactured gas to natural gas began. Gasworks were no longer required, and as new natural gas fields were discovered more and more gasholders, the large cylindrical structures used to store gas were decommissioned.

The technology used to store gas has advanced significantly, meaning that gasholders are no longer needed to store gas for supply to local communities. Today gas is stored in pipes underground, and all gasholders in the UK have been decommissioned. 

National grid and others are now regenerating these former gasworks so they can be transformed into something for the benefit of the communities they once served.