Building record 7198/410/1 - Globe Works

The Globe Works was built as a boot and shoe factory in 1891 for Thomas Bird. During 1967 the factory came under the ownership of Tailbys, as a heel factory. It stands on the corner of Bath road and Digby Street. The original three storeyed building is L shaped on plan with a nine bay east front to Bath Road a five bay south front to Digby Street and a corner entrance bay where they meet. A rear yard to the west is entered from Digby Street. The principal elevations have pier and panel walls on a blue brick base; alternate panels rise to segmental heads beneath small gables. The detailing is mostly in limestone.

{1} Globe Works, Digby Street. Very large impressive building with corner piece façade. Three storeys with occasional dormers. The structure is of red brick with use of stone at the corner. Currently utilised by 'E.A. Tailby Ltd. Heel Manufacturers & Footwear Components' and other businesses. Part of the building on the Tresham Street frontage has been demolished. Film 7, photo 21,22 Film 8, photo 7.

{2} Three storey brick built factory with stone embellishments and bay windows at corner to first and second storeys. Built for Thomas Bird after partnership with George Abbott dissolved in 1891. Business lasted well into 20th century. More recently used by EA Tailby, heel manufacturers.

{3} Boot and shoe factory. 1891. For Thomas Bird. Extended 1895. Further extensions especially in 1924 and further addition between then and 1967. Red brick with stone dressings and blue brick plinth. Slate roofs with ornamental stacks. L plan extended with rear wing and further extensions to form Z plan. 3 storeys. 9 window bays to Bath Road and 4 window bays to Digby Street, mostly original iron-framed windows under brick segmental arches. The windows nearest the corner are stone mullion and transom windows with a stone oriel at the corner on both floors over the corner entrance which has a carved and moulded stone doorcase inscribed 18-TB-91. The street fronts are characterised by alternate projecting bays with stone banded stone-coped gables with central projecting shafts with finials (only finials to smaller corner gables). Rear wing has similar iron-framed windows and is dated AD 1895.

{4} Boot and shoe factory. 1891. For Thomas Bird. Extended 1895. Red brick with stone dressings and blue brick plinth. Slate roofs with ornamental stacks. L plan extended with rear wing. 3 storeys. 9 window bays to Bath Road and 4 window bays to Digby Street, mostly original iron-framed windows under brick segmental arches. The windows nearest the corner are stone mullion and transom windows with a stone oriel at the corner on both floors over the corner entrance which has a carved and moulded stone doorcase inscribed 18-TB-91. The street fronts are characterised by alternate projecting bays with stone banded stone-coped gables with central projecting shafts with finials (only finials to smaller corner gables). Rear wing has similar iron-framed windows and is dated AD 1895.
HISTORY. The factory was built in 1891 by Thomas Bird and the firm was still here in 1940. Tailbys 'Heel Factory' was in occupation by 1967 and they still occupy part of the premises, the rest of which is let.
SOURCES.
EH Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Industry Survey, Site Report No.33.
This is a very good example of a 3-storey late C19 boot and shoe factory. It survives little altered with nearly all the windows intact and its well-detailed fronts emphasise the corner management offices.
Note. The single-storey buildings to the north-west of the 1895 rear wing are in separate ownership and are not included.

{6} The Globe Works was built as a boot and shoe factory in 1891 for Thomas Bird. During 1967 the factory came under the ownership of Tailbys, as a heel factory. It stands on the corner of Bath road and Digby Street. The orginal three-storeyed buildng is L shaped on plan with a nine bay east front to Bath Road a five bay south front to Digby Street and a corner entrance bay where they meet. A rear yard to the west is entered from Digby Street. The principal elevations have pier and panel walls on a blue brick base; alternate panels rise to segmental heads beneath small gables. The detailing is mostly in limestone.

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

<2> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, (unchecked) (Draft). SNN101121.

<3> DCMS, 2004, Listing Schedule, (checked) (Schedule). SNN104967.

<4> Department for Culture Media and Sport, 2005, Ammendment to Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Ammendment of 23/12/2005 (checked) (Schedule). SNN105807.

<5> Morrison K.A.; Bond A., 2004, Built To Last? The Buildings of The Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Industry (Book). SNN104903.

<6> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 33 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<7> Bellamy B, 1993-4, Boot and Shoe factories in Kettering, P 18 & 19 (Photographs). SNN111256.

<8> Historic England, Globe Works, Bath Road, Kettering, BF103849 (Archive). SNN114937.

<9> Historic England, Undated, Northampton Boot and Shoe Industry Project, EHC01/044 (Archive). SNN113277.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2025 12:42PM