Fermentation Vats, Sarsons Vinegar Factory

The Fermentation Vats at Sarson's Vinegar Factory, built around 1860 and altered in the early 20th century, are a notable example of industrial architecture in Southwark. The building is constructed of stock brick and features slate roofs. It stands three-and-a-half stories tall with two gables, and the west side was restored in the 20th century. The east side includes two tall round-headed windows between the first and second floors, along with cambered windows on the ground floor. There are two hoists and a series of loading doors present. The north side has four early 20th-century four-light pivoting casements, while the west side features metal casements.

Inside, the building has a scientific queen post roof to the north and a simpler roof with a tie beam to the south. It also contains a cast-iron spiral staircase and three large wooden fermentation vats. Historically, the site was established as mustard works in 1814 by Noah Slee, with the earliest purpose-built structures dating from 1825 to 1830, which were extended in the 1960s when the production shifted to vinegar. From 1932, the brewery was operated by British Vinegars, and in 1979, it was taken over by the Swiss company Nestle, which owned Crosse & Blackwell since 1960. Known as Sarson's Vinegar Brewery in the late 20th century, the works remained operational until early 1992.