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MADE IN BIRMINGHAM Birmingham's Industrial History Website
BIRDS CUSTARD Digbeth |
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Alfred Bird senior was born in Digbeth, Birmingham in 1811. He
served an apprenticeship with the industrial chemists Phillip Hariss
(who also supplied laboratory and scientific equipment). He later opened
a chemists shop in Bull Street.
Alfred Bird's first major invention was eggless custard which it is said he invented because his wife was allergic to eggs and yeast. Bird found that his new custard was popular with his house guests and realised he had something that was rather special. He later founded 'Alfred Bird and Sons Ltd', which became world famous for the manufacture of the unique Birds Custard. Bird also went on to invent baking powder so he could make yeast free bread for his wife. Alfred Bird senior died in 1878 and is buried at Key Hill cemetery in Birmingham. Alfred Bird junior continued the work of his father and is credited with inventing both blancmange and jelly powder. The Birds factory was one of Birmingham's best known landmarks, always having custard powder dust around its windows which fronted the main road beside the River Rea. The office section was known as Devonshire House. Bird's vacated the site in 1963 and it became tenanted by several companies including Laney Sound, who made music amplifiers used by most well known bands in the 70s. Hawkins Paper & Plastic also used part of the factory in Gibb Street for a time. During this period the factory became badly run down. Today it is an arts centre with many different tenants but the north side of the complex has been partly demolished and left in a very poor state, making it an eyesore in need of urgent attention. If you worked at Birds Custard, or have any memories or history of the company, please contact us at the email address on the home page.
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