Building record 3884/0/209 - Boot and Shoe Factory, Cannon Street / Stanley Street

A boot and shoe factory located on Stanley Road. These two brick built boot and shoe factories on the south side of Stanley Road appear to have been built in the late 19th century. However documentary sources and the difference in storeys, the western factory has two storeys and the eastern three, suggest that one of the buildings is an addition built soon after the completion of the other. The factories became separate premises in the early 20th century.

{1} Boot and Shoe Factory, Cannon Street / Stanley Street
Building shown on Ordnance Survey maps of 1900 and 1926, but only identified as shoe factory in 1926. The building remains in existence and is a large structure of two storeys. Now in use by 'Ram Autos' and 'Universal Carpets'. Film 8, photo 16.
Boot and Shoe Works (Eastfield Footwear Ltd) , Stanley Road
Large boot and shoe factory of three storeys and five bays, shown on map of 1926. Building is partially utilised by an antiques business, but the structure is now up for sale.

{2} 2-storey factory conjoined with another 3-storey factory to the east. Stylistically the 2-storey factory building looks the earlier of the 2 and occupies the more prestigious site. Both were present in 1899 when the OS map shows them in the same occupancy, probably that of the Stanley Boot Company. By 1924 the factories were in separate occupation but both for boot and shoe manufacture. The building has an L-plan with elevations of 7 bays to the north and 5 bays to the west, each full bay having a pair of windows on each floor.
Certain features of the 3-storey building, including the distribution of the taking-in doorways and the generous floor to ceiling height implied by the positions of their sills, are noteworthy. They suggest that the factory may have been either an annex to its conjoined neighbour or in use for a specialised process.

Added to the rear of this factory is a range of single-storey north-lit sheds built before 1924 in a former yard shown on the 1899 OS map. The shed adjoining the rear of the factory appears to incorporate part of an earlier structure or wall.

{3}An integrated shoe factory, with north lit sheds to the rear.

{5} A level 2 building recording survey of the L-shaped western factory. The building is in a poor state of repair and retains very little of its original fixtures or fittings or room arrangements.

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

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Wellingborough/Site 5 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> Palmer M; Neaverson P., 1992, Industrial Landscapes of the East Midlands, p.94 (checked) (Book). SNN3691.

<4> Historic England, Undated, 8-12 Stanley Road and Martin Bros Curtains Ltd, Cannon Street, Wellingborough, BF103774 (Archive). SNN113919.

<5> Williams, S, 2023, Programme of Historic Building Recording Level 2: 46-48 Cannon Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 4DT (Report). SNN115060.

Record last edited

Apr 26 2023 3:22PM