Building record 1160/413/1 - 1-5 Robert Street (Odd Nos)

Flack & Durrant, Boot Manufacturers (Formerly either George Tebbut or Alfred Peacock). This three storey shoe factory dates from circa 1875 (or 1869) and incorporates a contemporary attached house. The site was then adapted for the manufacture of clothing between 1906 and 1912. Between 1912 and 1928 the site was in use as a curriery. The site is located on the north side of Robert Street and has been identified as potentially the earliest surviving shoe factory in the town.

{1} c.1875 boot and shoe factory with adjoining house.

{3} Six-bay, three-storey-plus basement factory built in 1869. A further bay was added at its west end which may have been used as a house. Occupied by the Northampton Industrial Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Society until 1871 when they were liquidated. In 1874, in the ownership of George M Tebbutt. Briefly used by Cook Son & Co in the 20th century and then by a series of different footwear and leather companies, ultimately by Brevitt Shoe Co in the 1960s. Now converted to apartments.

{4} Red brick, three storeys high, slate roof. Lift shaft at one end. Built as a co-operative, but was a failure (many details given in adverts in 'Northampton Mercury' when property was for sale after the failure of the co-operative). Built c1869. [photo]

{5} Perhaps the earliest surviving shoe factory in Northampton, the very simple building was built in 1869 for a short-lived shoemaking co-operative.

<1> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<2> Historic England, Undated, 1-5 Robert Street, Northampton, BF103455 (Archive). SNN113493.

<3> Perkins, P, Whittaker, R and Denton, A, 2022, A Guide to the Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire, p. 59/ Site 258 (Book). SNN113793.

<4> Starmer G.H., 1967, CBA Record Cards: Industrial Archaeology in Northamptonshire, Ref: 36 (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN565.

<5> Morrison K.A.; Bond A., 2004, Built To Last? The Buildings of The Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Industry, p. 33 (Book). SNN104903.

Record last edited

Jan 7 2026 2:57PM