Monument record 3884/56 - Trafalgar House

Trafalgar House is a former boot and shoe factory known as Trafalgar Works and owned by Messrs Sharman and Ekin. The building is located on the east side of Sheep Street and is a three storey building of coursed stone with a slate covered roof. Documentary sources and the Ordnance Survey suggest a construction date of circa 1850. In 1937 the factory was damaged by a fire and the surviving section on Sheep Street was converted into shops.

{1} Trafalgar works Boot and Shoe, Sheep Street / Doddington Road. Trafalgar Works building shown on maps since 1885, but specifically as shoe factory in 1926. The frontage of the building appears to remain intact, but it doesn't look like an industrial building. Possibly just re-use of the plot or may represent offices / warehousing facility to the front with industrial structures (now gone) to the rear. See photo 6-7 Film 4.

{2} Trafalgar House, said to be the first shoe factory in the borough, was formerly known as 'Trafalgar Works', and was the factory of Messrs Sharman and Ekins, boot and shoe manufacturers, established in 1749 and taking up residence at the works in Sheep Street in 1850. Messrs Sharman and Ekins prided themselves on producing footwear for the home market, with every item bearing their stamp of quality. Registered brands included the 'Crescent' and the 'Thistle'. In 1866 the building was extended to allow for expanding trade. Their speciality at the latter part of the 19th century was the production of 'substantial boots for seamen, firemen, and others.' A house was built adjoining the factory, but after a serious fire the buildings were extensively renovated. Palmers' History of Wellingborough claims that the original façade of the factory, upper floor and roof line are still discernable (p.191).

Constructed from brick and ironstone blocks, the building represents only the front range of the former factory, which according to historic maps occupied the entire plot and grounds to Doddington Road from before 1888 to at least 1925. The building seems to have been sensitively reconstructed after the fire. Window apertures appear to be original, however all fenestration has recently been replaced with uPVC. A row of shops to the front appears to be a recent addition, and these somewhat detract from the original character of the building. There is some good quality architectural detail to the north end of the building, but this does not compensate for the general loss of character.

Trafalgar House is unfortunately, incomplete, and has been comprehensively remodelled to create shops and dwellings. Much of the original complex has been demolished and more recently all the window frames have been replaced with uPVC components. The building has some local significance but is far too altered to merit consideration for listing.

<1> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Wellingborough (Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100290.

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 41 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> ENGISH HERITAGE, English Heritage Listing File, Mr B Hawkins, HPA, 28th July 2009 (Report). SNN111579.

Record last edited

Aug 26 2022 3:55PM