Monument record 7198/31 - Thomas Foster and Son, William Street

The Garfield Shoe Works was built circa 1890, probably for the firm of Thomas Foster and Sons. It stands on the north side of William Street and by 1899 and perhaps originally, possessed an L plan. Only the street range survives, but some indications of it former extent can be gauged from a view published in 1916. The street range consists of three-storeys and six bays. The south front has pier and panel walling with stone capitals to the piers and large segmental-headed windows.

{1}The factory appears to be a relatively small example of three storey factory type. Clicking, leather storage and closing would probably have taken place on the first and second floors. The admin and the management offices would probably have been located on the first floor though there is no evidence of their existence. Conversation with the architect indicated that at least in the last years the factory was owned by Griggs and may not have been involved in the complete shoe manufacturing process, only part of it. No detail on exactly what part was available. The factory also had a large dust extraction unit (maybe for extracting dust or glue fumes) and a compressed airsystem which may be a remnant from the earlier days of the factory. There was a single storey finishing room at the back of the factory but this has now been demolished.

{5} Thomas Foster and Son Boot and Shoe Manufacturery, William Street
Three storey red brick factory still in existence, but currently being converted into 'The Warehouse Mews' a series of town houses and flats. Part of the building to the rear is in the process of being demolished. May be the factory listed as belonging to Thomas Foster in Kelly's Trade Directory of 1894.

{6} Thomas Foster and Son c1898; Albert C Hulett 'Garfield Works' c1914.

<1> ELLISON M., 1998, 35-41 William Street, Kettering, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49137.

<2> ELLISON M., 1998, Former shoe factory, William Street, Kettering, (unchecked) (Slides). SNN52300.

<3> 1998, PLANS, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN59917.

<4> ELLISON M., 1999, PHOTOGRAPHS, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN52316.

<5> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<6> Bellamy B, 1993-4, Boot and Shoe factories in Kettering, P27 & P28 (Photographs). SNN111256.

<7> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, KETT55 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<8> Historic England, The Warehouse (formerly Garfield Shoe Works), William Street, Kettering, BF103856 (Archive). SNN115263.

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

Record last edited

Jul 12 2023 9:45AM