Building record 1160/64 - Former G.T. Hawkins 'Waukerz' Factory, Hornby & West Shoe Factory

Former boot and shoe factory, at present vacant. Built in several phases by two different companies and then finally amalgamated to form a single large factory. C.1875, extended later C19 - late 1880’s; two further ranges 1890’s. Early C20 alterations. Mainly red or polychrome brick with slate roofs and iron framed windows.

{1} Boot and shoe factory at corner of Dunster Street and Overstone Road occupied by G. & T.Hawkins Ltd; circa 1890 four storey brick building with slate roof & sub-basement; decorative masonry of pilasters with stone capping and masonry fascias; cast iron window frames with flat relieving arches & large round-head feature window in end wall; photograph with report card. The black-painted sign on the east-facing gable end of the factory building is clearly visible, reading 'Trade Marks/Waukerz/College/Ezontos/Prima' on the left and on the right [partially out of shot]- 'Waukerz/Boot Fac[tory]/Makers../Ladie[s]/Gentle[men's]/Youths' S[hoes]/Best C…'.
[HER note 05/05/2025: the 'ghost sign' is still faintly visible as a white shadow on the brickwork]

{2} Established in 1886 the factory lies on the corner of St Michael's Road alongside a collection of single-storey terraced workshops and smaller factories.

{3} The factory is understood to have ceased trading sometime during 1996. At the time of inspection the fabric of the structure remained relatively intact although much of the machinery associated with shoe making had been removed following aution. Knowledge of shoe making operations and sundry items still remaining in the factory gave good clues as to use for certain areas but other parts remained hard to assign purpose too.

{7} Former boot and shoe factory, at present vacant. Built in several phases by 2 different companies and then finally amalgamated to form a single large factory. C.1875, extended later C19 - late 1880’s; 2 further ranges 1890’s. Early C20 alterations. Mainly red or polychrome brick with slate roofs and iron framed windows.
Range on the corner of Overstone Road and St Michael’s Road c. 1875, originally Hornby & West factory. 3 storeys and basement. 7-window range to each road and 2 canted bays on the corner. Façade is characterised by decorative brickwork and massive piers between windows culminating in projecting heads to top floor windows forming frieze below dentil eaves cornice. Early extension to front on Overstone Road and 7-window extension on St Michael’s Road, probably of 1890’s.
Range on Overstone Road and corner of Dunster Street: late 1880’s. G.T. Hawkins original factory: 3 higher storeys of mostly intact iron framed windows. 2 ornamental gables to Overstone Road front, and ornamental gable end to Dunster Street. Ornamental entrance on Overstone Road. First floor may have been mainly for clicking, second floor for finishing: there is a taking-in door in the middle of the Overstone Road front.
Range on Dunster Street next to above, 1890’s, built as an extension to above. 3 storeys over basement. 9-window range in all of iron-framed windows and taking-in doors. The 1899 Goad plan indicates use as a warehouse and factory.
Range on St Michael’s Road to east of original Hornby & West factory: 1890’s, for G.T. Hawkins. 4 high storeys over basement. 10-window range in all of wooden, mainly tripartite, windows with glazing bars. 2 facing gables are supported on tall pilaster strips. Entrance doorways and some round-arched windows on ground floor.
HISTORY: Between 1912 and 1916 G.T. Hawkins acquired the former Hornby & West factory adjacent to their own and began a series of alterations designed to integrate the various elements of the site both on the ground and upper floors. In the Hawkins Overstone Road range a director’s room with panelling and a stair were introduced.
An important and little-altered complex of buildings of this important period for the industry. Part of the most significant group of buildings of the boot and shoe industry in Northampton with the Globe Leather Works next door (q.v. p.39), the curriers in Dunster Street opposite (q.v. p.79) and the Trickers factory (see below) further down St Michael’s Road.

{9} Level 2 building recording survey was carried out.

<1> Starmer G.H., 1967, CBA Record Cards: Industrial Archaeology in Northamptonshire, Recorded by GH Starmer, 15-Apr-1967, Record No.NN77 (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN565.

<2> Palmer M; Neaverson P., 1992, Industrial Landscapes of the East Midlands, p.195 (checked) (Book). SNN3691.

<3> ELLISON M., 1999, PHOTOGRAPHS, (checked) (Photographs). SNN52323.

<3> ELLISON M., 1999, The Hawkins Shoe Factory, Dunster Street, Northampton, (unchecked) (Report). SNN43960.

<4> Starmer G.H., 1982, National Register of Industrial Monuments, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN563.

<5> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 48 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<6> Goad, 1899, Insurance Plan, 1899 (Map). SNN105173.

<7> DCMS, 2003, Listing Schedule (Schedule). SNN105168.

<8> Prentice J., 2007, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of the Former G.T. Hawkins Factory and Globe Leather Works, Northampton, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105794.

<9> Leigh, D, 2018, A Programme of Building Investigation and Recording at Level 2: The Former Hawkins Factory, St. Michaels Road, Northampton
NN1 3JT (Report). SNN112386.

<10> Historic England, Undated, The former G.T. Hawkins boot factory, Overstone Road and St. Michael's Road, Northampton, BF103483 (Archive). SNN115577.

<11> Perkins, P, Whittaker, R and Denton, A, 2022, A Guide to the Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire, p. 60/Site 262 (Book). SNN113793.

Record last edited

Jun 5 2025 6:59PM