Building record 1160/469/1 - 34-48 Talbot Road, Northampton

The Normal Boot & Shoe Factory stands on the north side of Talbot Road and was built in 1889, probably for the firm of Subbs & Grimsdell. It has 18 bays and three storeys. Three pediments rise from the eaves.

{1} Built in 1889, the Normal Boot and Shoe Factory was ornamented with ironstone lintels and a central pediment.

{2} Plans of the former boot and shoe factory prior to conversion into residential.

{3} The Normal Boot & Shoe Factory stands on the north side of Talbot Road and was built in 1889, probably for the firm of Subbs & Grimsdell. It consists of three storeys and ten bays, and is constructed of red brick on a blue brick base. The narrower entrance bays at either end incorporate a single opening per floor, but otherwise each bay has a pair of openings. The central two bays are framed by pilasters corbelled at second-floor level and topped by a large triangular pediment incorporating limestone bands with the incised lettering: ‘1889. | NORMAL | BOOT & SHOE FACTORY.’ The second bay from either end is given a simpler version of the same treatment, rising to a smaller pediment without banding. Across the elevation limestone is used for moulded sills and flush sill bands, cornices to the eaves and pediments, moulded kneelers and the surrounds to the two original entrances. The more elaborate principal entrance occupies the westernmost bay; both have keyed semicircular heads. Above the eastern entrance there are large original loading doorways on the first and second floors. The windows have cambered heads of ironstone voussoirs linked by flush bands of the same material.
The 1899 Goad plan notes the following uses: machines on the ground floor, clicking, rough-stuff and offices on the first, and machines and shoe room on the second. Full-height rear projections at either end probably house wash-rooms, but were not seen. Around 1910 the factory was acquired by Arnold Bros, manufacturers of the ‘Master’ and ‘Cathedral’ brands of gents’ footwear. The view published in 1916 also includes the former Eyre Bros factory on Henry St (Site 99), which Arnold Bros quickly absorbed, the two factories becoming inter-linked. It is an accurate enough representation of the Talbot Road frontage, but exaggerates the extent of north-lit ranges which infilled the rear of the plots between the two roads. Thereafter the Talbot Road factory was devoted to machining and finishing (Goad, 1912).

{5} It is claimed to be the first shoe factory in the town where all production operations were undertaken 'in-house' ie no co-workers were used in the production process. Now converted to apartments.

<1> Palmer M; Neaverson P., 1992, Industrial Landscapes of the East Midlands, p.197 (checked) (Book). SNN3691.

<2> Architectural Tectonics, 2001?, Plans of 34-48 Talbot Road, Northampton, (checked) (Plan). SNN103951.

<3> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Northampton/Site 103 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<4> Historic England, Undated, 34-48 Talbot Road, Northampton, BF103621 (Archive). SNN113831.

<5> Perkins, P, Whittaker, R and Denton, A, 2022, A Guide to the Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire, p. 61/ Site 269 (Book). SNN113793.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2025 12:41PM