Building record 7203/36/1 - Tecnic Boot and Shoe Factory, Bedford Road

The Tecnic (often mis-spelled Technic) Boot factory that was built circa 1922, is set back from the Bedford Road, which it fronts from the west. The main section consists of a series of single-storey north-lit ranges (probably seven in all) which are concealed by a seven-bay parapeted office front in the form of a projecting two-storey centrepiece and flanking bays. The north and south returns of the factory are plain Fletton brick elevations, the north incorporating one or more windows. The north-lit roofs are hipped at the west end and retain their original covering of asbestos tiles laid lozenge fashion. In the south return a large loading door has been inserted.A number of small ranges attached to the main seven-bay factory also appear to be original. Against the south side there is a small flat-roofed electricity sub station. On the north side there are two ranges. Towards the west there is a wash room block with a separate entrance.Probably in the 1930s, further single storey ranges were added along the north side of the factory, enclosing three sides of a yard.

{1} Technic Boot and Shoe Factory on Bedford Road. Has appearance of late 1920's style factory. Has a central protruding block with two entrances for 'Offices' and 'Employees'. Building has a sign for 'The Technic Shoe Co Ltd'. Functional industrial buildings to the rear of the main office block, with north lights. Would now appear to be in joint usage with 'Lambert Howarth Safety'. The building has been vacated since the field visit. Film 19, photo 1-7.

{2} Single storey boot & shoe factory as per the English Heritage description. 55 Bedford Road also related to the site originally as the owners house. Notable features included visibility of the entire working factory floor from the managers offices on the first floor of the front block. High quality wooden floor to factory also noted. House and factory originally one large (in terms of boot & shoe industry) site. Now split up and house gardens encroached upon by new build. Factory due to be demolished.

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

<2> Ellison M., 2000, Technics Works Bedford Road Rushden, (unchecked) (Slides). SNN102799.

<3> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 47 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<4> Historic England, Undated, Site of demolished factory (formerly The Tecnic Shoe Co Ltd and Lambeth Howard Safety), Bedford Road, Rushden, BF103759 (Archive). SNN114150.

Record last edited

Sep 29 2022 3:10PM