Building record 1160/197/2 - Nos. 6 & 7 The Drapery

Originally two buildings, both constructed in the 18th century, joined in the early 19th century. Probably built of brick, it was re-faced with an ashlar stone façade when the buildings were joined. A stone vaulted cellar extends east beneath The Drapery.

{1} C18th. Ashlar front, Welsh slated roof with 2 dormers. 3 storeys and attics. 3 sash windows. Modern shop front, passageway opening on left.

{2} C18th building with ashlar front; Welsh slate roof; 3 storeys & attics; modern shop windows;

{3} Two distinct 18th-century buildings, which were consolidated during the Regency period (c1790-1820), when the whole building was re-faced in sandstone and renovated internally in contemporary style. A stone vaulted basement was recorded. It extends beneath the public highway to the east as far as the middle of the road; possibly relects the outline of pre-existing tenement boundaries prior to the widening of The Drapery. The style is not inconsistent with the 18th century façade.

{4} The monitoring work added little to the known history of the building though confirmed the absence of pre 1940's remains in the south of the building. Traces of pre dating the construction of the 19th century Boot Inn were revealed with a competent level of construction and accomplishment which suggest an 18th century (or slightly earlier) date. The deep wells may be contemporary with this period, but were probably a common feature of properties within the town. Much of the remaining structure reflected piecemeal, and largely 19th century additions of renovations, possibly retaining only the substantial post fire party walls which were a requirement of new buildings in Northampton.

{5} No. 6 was for a long time the base for Philadelphus Jeyes, the chemists of Jeyes Fluid fame, who set up here in 1810. It is an interesting example of the 18th-century white Kingsthorpe stone, inevitably in some decay and now repaired with another stone.

{6} Photo dated 1993;

{9} Photo dated April 1963;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 3/52 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 p.59 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> Gibson A.; Prosser L., 2000, 6-7 The Drapery, Northampton: An Archaeological Desk-Based Study and Field Evaluation (Report). SNN101221.

<4> Gardner R.; Gibson A.; Henry K.; Prosser L., 2001, 6-7 The Drapery, Buildings to The Rear and Fronting onto College Street, Northampton: Historic Building Recording, Archaeological Monitoring and Recording, (unchecked) (Report). SNN102245.

<5> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 446 (Book). SNN111989.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

<7> Murray J.; Crank N., 2001, 6-7 The Drapery, Northampton: An Archaeological Evaluation (Report). SNN100836.

<8> Gibson, A & Prosser, L, 2001, 6-7 The Drapery, Northampton: Historic Building Recording (Report). SNN113510.

<9> Miss June Swann, 1960s- 70s, Miss June Swann Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN116665.

Record last edited

Mar 26 2025 12:05PM