This part of North Quay was known as Blood Alley when this was a docklands area.
To accommodate the influx of cargo, a total of nine warehouses were constructed around the dock area. These warehouses played a crucial role in storing the precious goods. The entire vicinity was encompassed by tall brick walls, intended to provide security and prevent theft. The warehouses themselves were quite remarkable, with Nos. 1 and 2 being the only survivors of the bombings that occurred during the Second World War. It is difficult to fully comprehend the awe-inspiring sight that would have greeted observers in the past, as nine warehouses towering at an impressive height of 223 feet would have dominated the landscape.
The quay itself acquired the nickname ’Blood Alley’ due to the unfortunate consequences suffered by dockworkers. Their skin would be damaged as a result of handling the heavy sacks of sticky sugar, leaving a lasting mark on the laborious nature of their work.
