Building record 7746/1/1 - Pearce's Leather Works
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Summary
20th Main Building, Offices & North Light Sheds. Work began in 1937 and the factory opened in 1939. The main buildings, forecourt pool and entrance gatepiers and gates are all Grade II listed (see individual records for details)
Map
Type and Period (5)
- TANNERY (Opened 1939, Second World War - 1939 AD to 1939 AD)
- AIRCRAFT FACTORY (Second World War - 1939 AD? to 1945 AD?)
- CURRIERY (Second World War to Late 20th Century - 1939 AD to 1999 AD?)
- OFFICE (Second World War to Late 20th Century - 1939 AD to 1999 AD?)
- LEATHER FACTORY (Opened 1939, Second World War - 1939 AD to 1939 AD)
Full Description
{2} Leather works and generator and garage block. 1939. Rendered and whitewashed brick with red brick plinth with dark headers and parapeted, glazed and corrugated sheet roofs. International Modern style with coloured tile banding and metal windows. Plan is of a large high central section with canted sides and with lower wings projecting forward from those sides. The north-light shed factory stretches behind and to the left.
{5} Leather works. 1939. By Wilfrid Lawson Carter. Rendered and whitewashed brick with red brick plinth with dark headers and parapeted, glazed and corrugated sheet roofs. International Modern style with coloured tile banding and metal windows. Plan is of a large rectangle with one corner cut away and the office block set into the re-entrant angle. Office block has high central section with canted sides and with lower wings projecting forward from those sides. The north-light shed factory stretches behind and to the left.
The office block is of two storeys, the central section with attic. Central section has 3 tall windows at first floor and 3 small windows in the attic over. These last are set in a wide band of decorative tiling. On the ground floor a central doorway up steps has wide projecting flat hood, decorative tiled surround with a band of scroll design and glazed double doors with metal grilles. There is a 2-light window either side and on the canted sides of the central section from which project the wings. There is a 4-window range of 5-light casements with transoms on both floors to each side then a window on the canted corner and then a further window on the ends of the wings. Similar windows to the rear of the wings. Behind these stretches the factory which is composed of conventional north-light sheds with much simpler detailing to the various doors and windows.
INTERIOR. Office block entrance hall has floor of miniature tiles forming a star pattern, and panelled ceiling. Doors here and elsewhere have moulded surrounds with an inlaid darker line and here and in part elsewhere in the suites of offices have glazing with line pattern etching. Staircase hall has open well stairs with wood panelled dado and stepped balustrade which has a curving metal rail in multiple sections set into the stepped top and around the landing. The Board Room over the entrance has canted corners, wooden panelling, decorative double doors and fireplaces either end.
{7} Extensive historical background including copies of original architects plans
{13} The tannery of W. Pearce and CO was opened in 1939 and is still in operation. The office building is notable for its art-deco style with white rendering and glazed tile embellishment.
{15} P341pp. Amongst other premises requisitioned for Lancaster work in Northampton during WWII (see also 1160/388) was W. Pearce & Co, Great Billing, Pipe forming and instrument panels.
Historic England, Undated, W Pearce & Co (Northampton) Ltd, Billing Park, Northampton, BF103915 (Archive). SNN113846.
<1> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.
<1> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire, p.10 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN104759.
<2> 2002, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Update Notification, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN101403.
<3> Balinger J., 2001, Pearce's Leather Works, Billing Park, Northampton, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN101297.
<4> Ballinger J., 2001, Pearce's Leather Works, Billing Park, Northampton, (unchecked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN101298.
<5> DCMS, 2002, Listing Schedule, (checked) (Schedule). SNN105171.
<6> Salter, A, 2003, Condition Survey Report: Pearce's Leatherworks Northampton (Report). SNN110713.
<7> Acanthus Clews Architects, 2003, Conservation Plan: Pearce's Leather Works, Northampton (Report). SNN110712.
<8> NCC Heritage Team, 2001?, Pearce's Leather works (HET Planning File (Buildings)). SNN110711.
<9> NCC Heritage Team, 2001?, Pearce's Leather works (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN110710.
<10> Anon, 1969?, W Pearce & Co: Sixty Years in Leather (Booklet). SNN110709.
<11> Kendall R., 1997-2014, 78 Derngate News, Issue 84 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN103325.
<12> Hyam, A., 2011, An historic building analytical survey (Level 3) of Pearce's Leather Works, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, 2011 (Report). SNN110275.
<13> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, (unchecked) (Draft). SNN101121.
<14> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2011, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire (2nd Edition), p.12 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN107622.
<15> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.
<16> Howlett, Dr C, 2017, Historic Building Recording (Level 2 Photographic record): Former Pearce Leather Works, Wellingborough Road, Northampton (Report). SNN113210.
<17> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 131 (Catalogue). SNN105075.
Sources/Archives (19)
- --- SNN113846 Archive: Historic England. Undated. W Pearce & Co (Northampton) Ltd, Billing Park, Northampton. Historic England Archive. BF103915.
- <1> SNN100276 Book: Gibson M.L.. 1982. Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History. N.C.C.(Libraries Service). (unchecked).
- <1> SNN104759 Gazetteer: Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group. 2001. A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire. John Stanley Publishers. p.10 (checked).
- <2> SNN101403 Catalogue: 2002. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Update Notification. Dept. CultureMedia&Sport. (unchecked).
- <3> SNN101297 Notes: Balinger J.. 2001. Pearce's Leather Works, Billing Park, Northampton. NCC. (unchecked).
- <4> SNN101298 Photographic prints (COL): Ballinger J.. 2001. Pearce's Leather Works, Billing Park, Northampton. (unchecked).
- <5> SNN105171 Schedule: DCMS. 2002. Listing Schedule. (checked).
- <6> SNN110713 Report: Salter, A. 2003. Condition Survey Report: Pearce's Leatherworks Northampton. Acanthus Clews Architects report. R2/02.160.
- <7> SNN110712 Report: Acanthus Clews Architects. 2003. Conservation Plan: Pearce's Leather Works, Northampton.
- <8> SNN110711 HET Planning File (Buildings): NCC Heritage Team. 2001?. Pearce's Leather works.
- <9> SNN110710 Photographic prints (COL): NCC Heritage Team. 2001?. Pearce's Leather works.
- <10> SNN110709 Booklet: Anon. 1969?. W Pearce & Co: Sixty Years in Leather. Stanton & Son.
- <11> SNN103325 Newsletter: Kendall R.. 1997-2014. 78 Derngate News. 78 Derngate News. 1: 1-90. Issue 84 (unchecked).
- <12> SNN110275 Report: Hyam, A.. 2011. An historic building analytical survey (Level 3) of Pearce's Leather Works, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, 2011. University of Leicester Fieldwork Reports. 2011-006. University of Leicester.
- <13> SNN101121 Draft: Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group. 2001. NIAG Industrial Gazetteer. (unchecked).
- <14> SNN107622 Gazetteer: Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group. 2011. A Guide To The Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire (2nd Edition). John Stanley Publishers. p.12 (checked).
- <15> SNN100276 Book: Gibson M.L.. 1982. Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History. N.C.C.(Libraries Service). (unchecked).
- <16> SNN113210 Report: Howlett, Dr C. 2017. Historic Building Recording (Level 2 Photographic record): Former Pearce Leather Works, Wellingborough Road, Northampton. The Howlett Consultancy. HC/1 25 B v 1 .0. The Howlett Consultancy.
- <17> SNN105075 Catalogue: ENGLISH HERITAGE. 2000. Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey. English Heritage. Site 131.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (3)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Location
Grid reference | Centred SP 80178 62732 (102m by 85m) Central |
---|---|
Civil Parish | BILLING, West Northamptonshire (formerly Northampton District) |
Protected Status/Designation
Other Statuses/References
- NRHE HOB UID: 1410671
Record last edited
Aug 23 2022 11:08AM