Bid to protect world's first ice cream cone factory

The world’s first purpose-built ice cream cone factory could become a registered building after town hall bosses moved to safeguard for the future.

Progress Works on Ayres Road in Old Trafford is where the Antonelli Brothers began manufacturing the sugar cone ice cream more than a century ago.

Trafford Council has included the factory on a draft list of buildings judged to have historical value.

Councillor Liz Patel said the sites on the list would be given "special protection" in the planning process if future development takes place.

Other sites on the list include a former prisoner of war camp on Charcoal Road in Dunham and the Manchester Carriage and Tramway Company’s Depot.

Among the others included are the Quaker Meeting House and Burial Ground where George Bradshaw, who developed the first widely-used railway timetable guide, is interred.

Raglan House, the home of John Brogden, who built the Manchester to Altrincham Railway, also features.

The list includes so-called "non designated heritage assets" in conservation areas and is intended to influence future decisions on planning applications.

Ms Patel said a final consultation would be held before the list was fully adopted.

"The benefits of such a list are significant and will have a positive impact on our borough’s street scene, securing attractive and distinctive aspects of our local heritage and built environment," she said.

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