No:7 Bottle Shop - Cannington Shaw

John Shaw, together with brothers, John and Edwin Cannington, built the revolutionary bottle shop in 1886 to Siemens design, making it one of the first in the world to successfully run 24/7. Over the course of its life several innovations were made, including the introduction of Astley semi-automatic glass bottle making machines. In 1918 it ceased to be an active furnace and the tank was removed, which heralded its new role as a company stores. In World War Two it was pressed into service as an air raid shelter, thanks to its cavernous basement. By the late 1970’s it had fallen into ill repair, and after the 1982 demolitions of the greater Sherdley site, No. 7 became the only remaining part of what was once the largest glass bottle production site in the world.

Whilst the furnace tank is long gone, much remains. The oval architectural cone, a hangover feature of earlier crucible furnace batch production still towers over the structure. Beneath the building the flue tunnels, which reversed air through the generators, are still intact too, making for a fascinating glimpse into the past. Not for nothing does Historic England list No: 7 Bottle Shop as “possibly the most intact example of a late 19th Century Bottle Shop, anywhere in the world.”

Come and see us on Heritage Open Day and immerse yourself in history and heritage, enjoying a talk and tour of the No: 7 Bottle Shop and getting interactive with a blacksmith and glass mosaic making amongst others.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1000-1600. Tours: 1100-1200 & 1400-1500.

Location & directions

Cannington Shaw Bottle Shop, James Roby Way, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA9 5DT

Directions:

Enter the Tesco car park from James Roby Way and proceed straight ahead to the Bottle Shop at the end.

Contact on day:

John Tabern

Telephone number:

+447882540998

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

There will be two guided tours on the day, lasting one hour. Whilst visitors are welcome to simply turn up to enjoy the artisan stalls, partaking in the guided talk and tour requires advanced booking. The talk and tour times are 1100 - 1200 and 1400 - 1500. Unfortunately the tour cannot accommodate disabled wheelchair access or pushchairs/prams to the Bottle Shop at this time.

Booking contact name:

John Francis Tabern

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://canningtonshaw.org.uk

Booking opens:

01 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

12 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

30

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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