Demolition work has begun on the former Hoover factory in Merthyr Tydfil, a site that once employed more than 5,000 workers, to make way for a new 'town'. The factory opened in 1948 and at its peak in the 1970s employed more than 5,000 people, producing washing machines and household appliances. To many, it was more than a workplace – it was a social hub, providing not just employment but also sporting facilities and social events to the town.
From factory to new neighbourhood
Hoover moved from the site in 2009, and earlier this year planning permission was approved for what is described as a "new neighbourhood" including up to 441 new homes. The development will also feature a new community hub including shops, as well as a Metro station and transport hub. Planning approval was given at the same meeting as huge plans for what will be the UK's longest indoor ski slope at Rhydycar West.
The Hoover site will have financial and professional services, food and drink businesses, a community heat hub, as well as a network of open spaces including parkland, active travel routes, areas for informal recreation, and sustainable drainage. The plans also involve demolition, ground reclamation, and remediation, and works including improvements to the highway network.
Demolition underway in September
Pictures taken at the site in September show demolition has begun, although it is in its early stages. The main building appears still intact, with an outbuilding reduced to rubble. The factory still stands in September 2026, but work has started.
