Building record 7203/29/1 - Boot and Shoe factory, Crabb Street/Park Road

The former Cunnington Brothers shoe factory originated circa 1882, on a corner site at the junction of Crabb Street and Park Road. The original building was a compact but stylish factory of three storeys, the ground floor appearing as a semi-basement on the street elevations, but a full storey to the lower yard behind. It was L shaped on plan with elevations of five bays to Crabb Street on the south, and probably five bays to Park Road on the east, now reduced to four by a truncation at the north end. Where the elevations meet the roof has a hipped corner. These elevations have striking chequerboard brickwork with contrasting dark stretchers and light headers. On the Park Road front the loading bay (the second bay from the north) projects beneath a small timbered gable. The taking-in doorways are on the first and second floors, but the street level only allows a hatch at ground level. Around circa 1890 the factory was massively extended to the west, along Crabb Street. The extension, also three storeyed, has a twelve-bay south front and a two-bay west gable. The extension is broader than the original factory.

{1} Large boot and shoe factory on the corner of Crabb Street and Park Road. Owned by Cunnington Bros and then Bignells. Terraced houses adjacent. Film 12, photo 12.
Factory on Crabb Street - uncertain what usage. Still a factory, but uncertain whether for boot and shoe trade or other industry. Film 12, photo 15. Building on opposite side of the road of the same brick, similar style. Possibly shop or offices for the factory? Film 12, photo 16.
A shoe factory or warehouse that probably dates to the mid 1880s and is placed gable on to the north side of Crabb Street. It is constructed of orange brick with blue brick sills. It is blind on the east side, suggesting that it may have functioned with the adjoining house, No.21. The building consists of three storeys and has a south gable of three narrow bays. On the ground floor a modern shop front has been inserted, but the entrance to the left may be original. On the second floor two windows flank a tall central window, possibly a taking-in doorway originally. To the rear the building extends beyond the house.

{2} Boot and shoe factory. C.1882. For Cunnington Bros. Major extension of c.1890 and smaller additions early C20 to 1923. Red and buff brick in chequer pattern with hipped slate roof. 3 storeys. Long front to Crabb Street, the right hand part of 5 windows is the c.1882 build, the left hand part, 9 windows at first floor, of c.1890. Mostly multi-paned wooden windows. Brick segmental arches to ground and first floors and a painted narrow continuous lintel to top floor under a dentil frieze, the dentils being in buff brick. The 1890 part has 12 windows to top floor and 11 to ground floor with an entrance in a moulded stone doorcase to far left. On the first floor to right of this are 2 large tripartite sash windows with pediments lighting the office suite. The front to Park Road is similar with a projecting taking-in door bay to centre right which has a gable at the top and a door to each floor and crane hoist to right. The right end of this front has been slightly reduced at some period to forma fire shield gap.

{3} Photo dated January 1998;

<1> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (checked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<2> DCMS, 2004, Listing Schedule, (checked) (Schedule). SNN104967.

<3> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 51 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<4> Historic England, Undated, Former Cunnington Brothers shoe factory, Crabb Street, Rushden, BF103817 (Archive). SNN114146.

Record last edited

Jan 25 2023 10:54AM