Early days and the company shop

When Blaenavon Ironworks opened in 1789, hundreds of people came to find work. There was very little in Blaenavon before the ironworks was built so the needs of the workers and their families were provided for by the ironmasters. Food and clothing could be bought from the company shop (also known as the ‘truck shop’ or the ‘tommy shop’).

The company shop was necessary in the early years of the Industrial Revolution, but it was also used to keep prices high and kept people in debt to the company. Workers were not paid in cash, so they could not spend their money elsewhere. The ‘truck system’ was very unpopular and was among the causes of protest in south Wales during the early 19th century. Over time, new laws were passed to remove the truck system and its injustices.

At some distance, the works have the appearance of a small town, surrounded with heaps of ore, coal and limestone, and enlivened with all the bustle and activity of an opulent and increasing establishment… although these works were only finished in 1789, three hundred and fifty men are employed, and the population of the district exceeds a thousand souls.

Archdeacon William Coxe (1801)

1 / 5
  • The establishment of ironworks in 1789 led to a large increase in the local population. This engraving, based on a watercolour by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, shows the ironworks in 1798 (Acknowledgement: Engraving by W. Byrne based on a watercolour by The establishment of ironworks in 1789 led to a large increase in the local population. This engraving, based on a watercolour by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, shows the ironworks in 1798 (Acknowledgement: Engraving by W. Byrne based on a watercolour by Sir Richard Colt Hoare)
  • The cottages at Stack Square and Engine Row were built by the ironmasters to provide housing for the workers and their families (Acknowledgement: N.A. Matthews)
  • The population grew so fast in the Industrial Revolution that there were not enough houses to meet the demand. The ironmasters bricked up the arches of a viaduct to provide shelter for the workers (Acknowledgement: Engraving by W. Byrne)
  • With a growing population, bigger premises were required and the shop was moved to North Street (the present site of Caddick’s workshop) in 1844-45. The new company shop sold everything to cover the needs of the workers and their families
  • In some areas, tokens (or ‘dibs’) were issued instead of cash. This system does not appear to have been used in Blaenavon, with tokens only being issued for change. However, the Blaenavon Company employed the ‘long-pay’ system