Building record 7746/1/1 - Pearce's Leather Works

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)

{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.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2022 11:08AM