In 1852 Muspratt Brothers & Huntley opened an Alkali Works by the docks, north of the town, eventually absorbing the wharves and shipbuilding yards. It was taken over by the United Alkali Company in 1890. Following closure of the works in 1919/20, Courtaulds purchased the site and converted it into a textile factory known as Castle Works. It closed in 1977 and was demolished in 1980; modern factory units have been built on what is now the Ashmount Centre.
B.A.Malaws, RCAHMW, 19 November 2008.