Building record 7198/49/1 - Union Street Tannery

This large works incorporates the large 19th century tannery of Stephen Patrick, still in production. It also contains a roughly contemporary building probably orignating as part of the shoe machinery works of Whitfield Hodgsons & Brough Ltd.

{1} The majority of the tannery complex on Union Street has gone, however there are two possible remaining sheds on the site and a small terraced house situated in front of the site. The complex is now in use by 'S Patrick Ltd' - a haulage company. Film 14, photo 1.

{2} This large works incorporates the late-19th-century tannery of Stephen Patrick, still in production.
Site comprises: A large modern single-storeyed shed on the north part of the site, replacing an irregular group of buildings shown on maps from 1899 to 1979;
A single-storeyed building gabled east-west. The 1899 map suggests that this formed part of the tannery complex from the outset, as it is served by the same yard and entrance. It consists of three parts, the eaves and ridge levels of which step down successively towards the west. The eastern section is the longest and perhaps the first. It has a series of windows facing north onto the former yard and a blind east gable; it has been re-roofed with concrete tiles.
On the Union Street frontage there is a single-storeyed office with concrete detailing and a shallow-pitched roof. The east front has a central entrance porch formed by inclined concrete sides, and is flanked by large windows. The style of the building, and of the lettering of the firm’s name (S. Patrick Ltd) over the porch, suggest a date in the 1950s or early 1960s.
77 Union Street, a two-storeyed bay-fronted house to the north of the tannery yard entrance, stands on the frontage of the tannery plot and may form part of the same historic occupancy.

<1> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (checked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Kettering site 57 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> Historic England, S Patrick Ltd, Union Street, Kettering, BF103858 (Archive). SNN115287.

Record last edited

Jul 14 2023 1:14PM