Fears time to be called on J B Joyce clockmaking factory in Whitchurch

Oct 9 2008 by Andrew Bowan, Whitchurch Herald

Fears time to be called on J B Joyce clockmaking factory in Whitchurch

FEARS that clockmaking work at Whitchurch’s J B Joyce factory may be switched to Derby have been scotched.

The affirmation of the future of the Station Road premises comes amid moves to get the building architecturally listed to ensure its place in the town’s history.

The building dates from 1904 and is the country’s only purpose-built clockmaking factory.

J B Joyce was bought by clockmaking firm Smith of Derby in 1965 but has continued to trade as J B Joyce.

David Borwell, the grandson of Norman Joyce, the last private owner of J B Joyce, feared Smith of Derby was making changes that may put the Joyce name and building in jeopardy.

He said: “The building on Station Road should have listed building protection on it otherwise it may be used for alternative development should Smith’s decide to move more work from Whitchurch to Derby.”

The J B Joyce brass plate, which has been at the office door for decades, has been changed to Smith of Derby.

Mr Borwell added: “I’m very concerned that this could be the start of the dismantling of the Joyce name in Whit- church and eventual closure of the works, something that we need to be prepared to object to most vigorously.

“Should the works close, the town will lose an important and historical institution.”

But Jim Foster, sales manager at Smith of Derby, said: “There are no plans at present to change the building as it stands.

“A small amount of workshop work is carried out there, while the main work is done in Derby, and this has been the situation for several years.

“We have had the building valued for insurance purposes but this is quite normal procedure.”

J B Joyce has made clocks which grace important buildings across the world, and Joyce clocks give the time of day to citizens in South Africa, India, Brazil, Jamaica, America, Australia and New Zealand.

The Friends of Whitchurch Heritage group is backing the move to make the works a listed building.

Dr John Clayton, chairman and trustee of the Friends, said: “This unique building is of importance architecturally and is significant not only to Whitchurch but nationally and globally.”