It continued to operate until 1981, by which time it had stopped producing road tar and become primarily a distillation unit. After closure, the works lay derelict for some years, until the area was redeveloped as Quayside Village in 1989.
Until 1981, the operation produced road tar but later transformed into a distillation unit. After ceasing production, the area remained unused until it was developed into Quayside Village in 1989.