THese pictures show how a once-proud industrial hub of the town fell to its knees in the name of development.

The Deb factory, on Spencer Road, took decades to build up from a small factory to a world centre, and just weeks to demolish, after the business moved to new state-of-the-art, purpose-built premises in Denby.

The old factory site, and an associated site on Nottingham Road opposite,, are now in the process of being developed as a new housing estate with almost 80 homes.

Wheeldon Developments has already begun building its Coppice Brook site, and their showhomes on Nottingham Road are due to be open for viewing soon.

A total of 19 homes are being built in the first phase of the development.

In the end, 78 homes will be built on the site when all phases have been completed.

Deb, which is most well-known for producing industrial hand cleaner Swarfega, was based in Belper for more than 60 years. The firm, which was named by a contraction of the word debutante, took off after Audley Bowler Williamson invented green high-strength handcleaner Swarfega in 1941 and announced it was moving from its base at Spencer Road to new premises opposite Denby Pottery more than two years ago.

Staff moved to the new £19 million headquarters last spring and work to demolish the factory began early this year.

The move brought together the production, sales and warehousing arms of the brand, which had previously been spread around the East Midlands.

It also allowed production to be more streamlined, bosses said.

The company was bought out earlier this year in a £325 million deal with Charterhouse Capital Partners.

The 220 staff at the firm were not affected by the move, which bosses were keen to confirm would mean ‘business as usual' for the company.

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HUB OF INDUSTRY: The Deb factory stood proud in the town.

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THE WORK BEGINS: Much of the factory had gone by March this year.

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DEMOLITION: The work was well underway by May.

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stepping forward: The steps of the former Deb building can still be seen.

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looking ahead: Houses are now going up on the site.