Monument record 7203/71 - Windmill Business Centre (formerly James Hyde Shoe Factory

This is a much-altered fragment of the factory established by James Hyde circa 1896, operated by Walter Sargent & Co after the Second World War and now largely demolished. Hyde's original factory was further east along Glassbrook Road, opposite the junction with Brook Road. From here the factory expanded rapidly, eventually extending westwards behind a row of five houses and establishing a second frontage on Glassbrook Road - the present Windmill Business Centre - beyond them. The latter was present by 1923 (OS), and probably dates from circa 1910.

{1} Factory, Glassbrook Road. Large factory on Glassbrook Road has been (largely) demolished and modern flats stand on the site. The terraces which used to nestle between the building still survive. Film 14, photo 5.

{2} 1896 Not listed
c.1896 Firm of James Hyde established
1899 Business Centre shown as vacant plot; Small factory shown opposite Brook Rd (OS 1:2500, 40.9)
1906 James Hyde (Rushden) Ltd, boot & shoe mfr, Glassbrook Rd
1916 Much-extended factory ‘one of the largest in the district’
1923 Large U-plan factory expanded from nucleus opposite Brook Rd (OS 1:2500)
1929 As 1906
1937 G & P Hyde, boot & shoe mfrs
1969 Walter Sargent & Co, boot & shoe mfrs; 290 employees
1999 Fragment of factory retained as Windmill Business Centre

This is a much-altered fragment of the factory established by James Hyde circa 1896, operated by Walter Sargent & Co after the Second World War and now largely demolished. Hyde's original factory was further east along Glassbrook Road, opposite the junction with Brook Road. From here the factory expanded rapidly, eventually extending westwards behind a row of five houses and establishing a second frontage on Glassbrook Road - the present Windmill Business Centre - beyond them. The latter was present by 1923 (OS), and probably dates from circa 1910

The surviving single-storey building has a screen wall to Glassbrook Road on the north and a series of probably north-lit ranges behind. The screen wall is currently pebble-dashed. It incorporates a large partially blocked central entrance, to the west of which there are two three- light transomed windows, while at the east end there is a narrow entrance. The windows have pitched blue brick sills. The ranges to the rear are now rendered and re-roofed with sheeting. There is a further range at the south end of the site.

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

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 8 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> Historic England, Undated, Windmill Business Centre, Glassbrook Road, Rushden, BF103652 (Archive). SNN114074.

Record last edited

Sep 13 2022 2:54PM