Monument record 8195/1 - Mill Chrome Tannery

Of this extensive tannery site, situated in open country on the west side of Station Road (the A6) close to the site of Irthlingborough station, the princpal block is the main survival. Built in the early 20th Century it is two storeyed and consists of eight by four bays, with a flat or shallow pitched roof concelaed by a pararpet. The two ground floor bays at the north end of the east front incorporate the entrance and office. On the east front the windows are set in recesses corresponding to the bays. The groud floor windows have a larger ventilating section. There is a tall ground floor with timber joists caried on 'I' section iron or steel beams. A small single storeyed flat roofed range at the north end is a later addition. The rear of the site where the 1965 Ordnance Survey map shows a series of outbuildings, tanks and sludge beds, was not seen.

{1} Building shown on map as 'Mill Chrome Tannery'. It is possible that the furniture warehouse building on the site now is part of the original tannery building, although it may be a new construction altogether. Film 7, photo 24.

{2} 1916 ?Nene Valley Tanning Co, no address
1940 Mill Chrome Tanning Co. listed under Irthlingborough
1965 Extensive 'Works' and sludge beds
1967 Mill Chome Tanning Co Ltd
1999 Carpet and soft furnishings warehouse
Of this extensive tannery site, the principal block is the main survival. It is two-storeyed and consists of eight by four bays, with a flat or shallow-pitched roof concealed by a parapet. The two ground floor bays at the north end of the east front house incorporate the entrance and office; they have paired openings in each bay and stop-chamfered lintels. Elsewhere large segmental-headed windows with cast-iron frames are the norm. On the east front the windows are set in recesses corresponding to the bays. The ground floor windows have a larger ventilation section. There is a tall ground floor with timber joists carried on plated I-section iron or steel beams. A small single storeyed flat roofed range at the north end is a later addition.

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

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 17 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> Historic England, Undated, Chowns Mill Business Park (formerly Mill Chrome Tannery), Station Road, Higham Ferrers, BF103908 (Archive). SNN116218.

Record last edited

Mar 13 2024 1:42PM