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.
The operation continued until 1981, after which it ceased tar production and became a distillation facility. Subsequently, the site was left abandoned for several years before being redeveloped as Quayside Village in 1989.