Silves council is ‘concerned’ about the state of the Fábrica do Inglês, abandoned four years ago

Silves councillors have visited the Fábrica do Inglês museum and found decay, vandalism, evidence of substantial theft and almost total abandonment.

One described the scene as "Dante-esque with decaying materials, abandoned buildings, an internationally recognised museum left to the vagaries of the weather."

Built on the site of the old cork factory, the Fábrica do Inglês tourist entertainment complex was launched in 1999 and housed the famous Cork Museum, eateries and a venue for entertainment. It failed and closed owing millions. Four years later the company still has not been declared insolvent, prolonging the pain and preventing the development of a sensible solution for one of Silves's growing list of eyesores.

According to the socialist party at Silves council the contents of the museum and the factory are spread around various places and no one has a clear record of what is where.

The historically important files and records of the local cork industry were sent to Faro but no one knows the "date of return or even whether these records can be viewed."

The Fábrica do Inglês area has repeatedly been burgled and materials and equipment have been removed. Remedial costs will be substantial.

After the site visit the councillors proposed that the Câmera, as a shareholder, acts immediately and calls a shareholder meeting of Fábrica do Inglês SA. This at least was approved unanimously.

The PS said that this meeting should work towards a solution, and that the banks involved should be contacted by the council and told to turn up, especially as the site houses a museum of municipal interest, internationally recognised, and that the local community expects Fábrica do Inglês to be preserved.

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