>
> I can tell you more, though I'm afraid I'm missing some crucial
> details. It was the Pura Foods factory, and it was destroyed by a fire
> in 2006 (IIRC)- however it was apparently out of use already by that
> time. The site was occupied by Pura Foods since the early 90's [1],
> who have now moved out to Purfleet in Essex - and apparently used to
> be known as the Pure Lard Company! [2]
>
> GLIAS has a bit more
here:http://www.glias.org.uk/news/227news.html#L
>
> This thread on the urban exploration forum 28 Days Later has some more
> information, including accounts from two people who worked there
> (though one was working on it being decommissioned) who consider it a
> "shithole":
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=14172
>
> I cannot find any reference to the fire on the web though, which is
> irritating as it could mean that I've gone mad. However I don't think
> so, as I do remember very specifically being on a DLR train from the
> west approaching Canning Town, in the daylight, and seeing the mangled
> wreck of the factory, and then exchanging a few words with the PSA
> lady who was nearby, who spoke briefly of the recent massive blaze
> that had happened there. Indeed I then double backed to East India
> station to take another look, before tripling back (?) to get to
> Canning Town.
>
> "It went on fire" is a Glaswegian phrase that the Private Eye's Nooks
> and Corners column, which concerns buildings, occasionally cites - it
> apparently describes a timely, convenient fire that does the
> demolition work without the fuss. However that wouldn't really fit
> here, as the factory was already seemingly out of use and plans to
> demolish and redevelop it were live before the fire.
>
> I did see the factory from the road a number of times, and it was
> indeed particularly imposing at night, just as it was when from the
> DLR's windows, or the DLR platforms at Canning Town. Somewhat stupidly
> and absent mindedly, because of the Pura name that was emblazoned on
> the large cyclinders at the factory, for a while I thought the factory
> might have something to do with producing concentrated fruit juices
> (perhaps held in that bug cylinder)! Though to be honest I hadn't
> really ever given it any proper thought.
>
> Regarding Trinity Buoy lighthouse, one website cited earlier [2]
> claims that it is "the only lighthouse that has never been used" -
> which tallies with the fact its name is the "Experimental Lighthouse".
> Trinity Buoy Wharf was in fact the Thames side workshops of Trinity
> House (the lighthouse people) from 1803 until 1988 [3].
>
> Trinity Buoy Wharf today is an artistic centre, and is open during the
> hours of daylight (though is available for corporate hire, or as a TV
> and film location). There's much more information on their website...
> <
http://www.trinitybuoywharf.com/>
>
> One thing the Wharf hosts is an original American diner, Fat Boys
> Diner (or alternatively Fat Buoys Diner). I'm pretty sure this is the
> American diner that used to exist on Maiden Lane near Coven Garden.
>
> -----
> [1] GLA planning report (PDF):
http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/planning_decisions/strategic_dev/2005/...
>
> [2] towerbridge community website - page on Blackwall and Lower Lea
> Valley - see under "The Environment" heading for
references:http://www.tower-bridge.org.uk/blackwal.htm
>
> [3] Trinity Buoy Wharf history
page:http://trinitybuoywharf.com/history.html
