Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

An investigation by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex has found evidence that the first, purpose-built, wireless radio factory in the world is in a state of disrepair and is being abused by squatters and vandals, 90 years after a historic broadcast by renowned opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba.

In its time, the Marconi building in New Street, Chelmsford developed many products for radio and television, but nearly a century on from the historic broadcast by Dame Nellie Melba; journalists from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex have managed to gain easy access to the now abandoned building, which is currently in the hands of receivers.

A Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ journalist filmed pictures of a trail of destruction throughout the building, which is part-listed. Near the office of the founder of radio, Guglielmo Marconi, there was evidence of drug abuse inside a makeshift squat strewn with litter.

Alison Hodgkins-Brown, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex News Editor, was one of the four-strong team to go onto the site. She says: "We wanted to show people that behind the boarded up windows and doors, such an important building in broadcasting history is being torn apart inside. Anything of value – copper, brass, wiring – has been stripped out and vandals have sprayed the walls with graffiti."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex showed the pictures to the only surviving child of Marconi, Princess Elettra Marconi-Giovanelli, who said the state of the building was "disgraceful" and called on those looking after the former factory to restore it to its former glory out of respect for her father's memory.

She said: "I am very sad to see how the situation is... because I understand that they don't care about the building, it's abandoned... I'm very upset to see that this beautiful building is not appreciated."

The chairman of the Marconi Veterans Association, Peter Turrell, told Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex: "I am disgusted and annoyed – the world owes a lot to Marconi and we will be very, very upset if this building ever goes into real decay."

A spokesman for the receivers, Zolfo Cooper, who are responsible for the building, told the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ they have recently tightened security of the site – including round the clock monitoring – as they were so concerned about trespassers gaining access.

Visit bbc.co.uk/essex to view images taken inside the Marconi building.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Essex broadcasts on 95.3 and 103.5FM, DAB Digital Radio and online via the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.

BG