The intriguingly named Piano Building is another landmark of Kidderminster’s industrial heritage in the carpet industry. Built in the 1860s it remains, like Slingfield Mill to which it stands adjacent, a tribute to he scale of ambition of the men in the town who were to establish a global reputation for Kidderminster as a manufacturing centre.

 

On this occasion it is the leadership of John Brinton which has to be acknowledged. Brinton was the third generation of his family to play a leading role in the development both of the town, the industry and of his own company. He was to an extent thrust into that role when his father and elder brother died in quick succession leaving him in charge while just thirty . When he died in1914 his business leading role was universally acknowledged. The company that he had given such firm grounding continued in family ownership until the early 21 century.

 

This building served as a wool store – that it still stands is a tribute to those in the town who sought to have it listed to serve as a striking record of the energy of the town and its forefathers, and fought against plans to have it demolished.

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Its name comes from the fact that from above the shape is said to resemble a grand piano – though to appreciate that fully one would have to be as bold as Thomas Lea and be willing to scale the Slingfield Mill stack! The building originally had a short spur from the canal that means that narrow boats could be brought inside and unloaded. One such craft is rumoured to be be buried under the building.​