Birchwood Park, Warrington, the North West’s largest out-of-town business destination, has unveiled a new historical timeline installation celebrating 80 years since the former Risley site helped shape the UK’s atomic energy programme.
Part of the Park’s wider 80 Years of Nuclear campaign, the installation charts the site’s evolution from a disused Second World War ordnance factory into the thriving business destination it is today.
Now home to more than 165 organisations, including over 30 businesses operating across the nuclear sector, Birchwood Park sits at the heart of one of the UK’s most significant nuclear clusters. More than 6,000 people work across Warrington’s nuclear community, the UK’s only region which spans the full nuclear lifecycle.
With the sector forecast to contribute more than £15 billion to the North West economy by 2030 and nuclear employment expected to grow by almost 49%, the timeline also highlights the opportunities the industry continues to create for the region and future generations.
The timeline showcases key moments from the past eight decades, celebrating the people, organisations and innovations that have shaped the site, while helping today’s workforce and future generations better understand the role Birchwood Park has played in the UK’s nuclear story.
As part of the celebrations, the Park is also inviting current and former employees, visitors, and members of the local community to share their memories, photographs, and stories of life at the site, helping to preserve the personal history behind one of the region’s most significant employment and innovation hubs.
Stories and photographs can be submitted via Birchwood Park’s dedicated 80 Years of Nuclear webpage, where contributors are invited to help celebrate the people and moments that have shaped the Park over the past eight decades.
Linda Welsby, Leasing Manager at Birchwood Park, said: “For 80 years, Birchwood Park has been part of the UK’s nuclear story, but it’s also been a part of thousands of people’s own stories. The timeline is a way of celebrating both.
As the site continues to evolve, it’s important that we recognise the heritage that has shaped the Park we know today. We’re incredibly proud of the role it has played in supporting the UK’s nuclear industry and the contribution it continues to make to the North West economy through the businesses and people based here.
We’re also hoping the timeline encourages people to share their own memories and helps a new generation discover the opportunities and careers that continue to be created here. We’d like to thank Norman Bird from UKNNL and the UK ARC Programme Alpha Heritage team for their support in helping bring this important piece of the Park’s history to life.”
Rachel O’Donnell, Chair of the Northern Nuclear Alliance (NNA), said: “The Northern Nuclear Alliance exists to champion the organisations and capabilities that make the North West the number one region for nuclear services in the UK. Birchwood Park has been central to that story for 80 years, bringing together businesses that have helped shape the industry and continue to drive it forward today.
Supporting initiatives like this is about recognising that heritage while also demonstrating the strength of the nuclear community we have here today. It’s a story worth celebrating because it’s also the foundation for the sector’s future growth.”
To find out more, visit: https://www.birchwoodpark.co.uk/80-years-of-nuclear
