Spike Island (Cheshire)


Spike Island is an island between the Sankey Canal and the estuary of the River Mersey, part of Widnes in the borough of Halton in north-west England. The island contains parkland, woodland, a path along the canal and is next to the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, the only science museum in the UK solely devoted to chemistry.

History

The island was at the centre of the British chemical industry during the 19th century and part of the Industrial Revolution. However, by the 1970s the area contained abandoned chemical factories, rail lines, canal and industrial dockage, and extensive chemical pollution. Between 1975 and 1982 the island was reclaimed and returned to green spaces.

In popular culture

Spike Island was the site of a famous outdoor concert by The Stone Roses in May 1990; the support acts included DJs Dave Haslam, Paul Oakenfold and Frankie Bones, a Zimbabwean drum orchestra, Dave Booth and the reggae artist Gary Clail. A film about the concert called Spike Island was released in 2012.
The Pulp song "Sorted for E's and Wizz" is inspired by one girl's memories of the above concert.