A historic Liverpool business, once home to the legendary 'Sugar Girls,' is set to be taken over by a US firm. For over a century, the Tate & Lyle factory dominated the skyline north of Liverpool city centre, employing generations of local families.
The Origins of Tate & Lyle
Henry Tate, a Liverpool grocer, ventured into sugar-cane refining in 1859 after partnering with John Right, a local sugar refiner. Their success led to the establishment of Henry Tate & Sons. In 1872, the company opened a new sugar refinery on Love Lane, producing 400 tons of sugar weekly. The factory became the heart of the community, with over 10,000 workers passing through its doors, many from multiple generations of the same families.
In 1883, Abram Lyle & Sons, based just a mile and a half away, began producing Golden Syrup, which quickly became a household staple. By 1885, the syrup was sold in iconic green and gold tins, featuring the world's oldest branding. The two rivals merged in 1921 to form Tate & Lyle Ltd, refining about half of the UK's sugar.
The Sugar Girls Era
The majority of the workforce were women, known as the 'Sugar Girls,' who formed lifelong friendships on site. Despite efforts to save the factory, it closed in 1981. The Eldonian Village now occupies the land once covered by the sprawling refinery.
The Takeover Deal
Today, Tate & Lyle announced it has agreed to be acquired by Ingredion, a US-based company, for approximately £2.7 billion. Tate sold its sugar division, including the Golden Syrup factory in London, to American Sugar Refining in 2010. The Ingredion buyout marks the latest full takeover of a UK company. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2027, pending shareholder and regulatory approval. Ingredion will review Tate & Lyle's sites, workforce, and operations upon completion.
This acquisition signals the end of an era for a brand deeply rooted in Liverpool's industrial heritage.
