Building record 7198/93/1 - Dalkeith Works, Green Lane

A three storey boot and shoe factory on the south side of Green Lane that was built for Abbot and Bird. It is constructed of brick with ashlar dressings and a concrete tile roof. The building was built during 1873 and extended during 1884. In 1914 the premises were brought by James Partridge, a shoe mercer and manufacturer but by 1924 the building had become a printing works.

{1} Boot and shoe factory. 1873, extended in a similar style by 1884. For Abbot and Bird. Orange-red brick with stone ashlar dressings. C20 concrete tile hipped roofs with deep eaves supported on shaped stone eaves brackets. Italianate style. 3 storeys with 2-storey and single storey elements on right end. Main range has 17-window front of cast-iron framed windows with round-arched heads to ground and first floors and segmental above. Raised storey bands and quoins. Doorways in slightly projecting 2-and 3-window elements to centre and far right (the latter the pre-1884 extension). The right end has the 2-storey element of 2 windows over doorway in moulded stone surround and small window, and a single-storey 3 windows and doorway element. Rear walling has brick window heads.
HISTORY.
This factory was built for Abbot and Bird in 1873 and they are noted as still operating here until c.1914 when it was bought by James Partridge, a shoe mercer and manufacturer. By 1924 it had become a printing works.
SOURCES.
EH Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site Report No. 51.
Morrison, Kathryn A., with Bond, Ann, ‘Built to Last? The Boot and Shoe Buildings of Northamptonshire’, forthcoming, pp. 12-14.

This well-detailed factory was one of the earliest large boot and shoe factories in Kettering and was built in the Italianate style, the fashionable one for factories in the town, no doubt recalling the splendid Manfield factory in Northampton of 1957 (demolished 1982). This example is one of the earliest and most impressive boot and shoe factories to survive and it retains its fine external appearance.

{3} Dalkeith Works is believed to be the first large three storey shoe factory to be built in Kettering in 1873. The building has an elaborate Italianate design on the frontage, but the back and sides of the building are very plain. The building has a two storey utilitarian extension to the east end. The building has ceased industrial production and has been sold for conversion to residential apartments.

{4} This factory was built for Abbot and Bird in 1873 and they are noted as still operating here until c.1914 when it was bought by James Partridge, a shoe mercer and manufacturer. By 1924 it had become a printing works.
This well-detailed factory was one of the earliest large boot and shoe factories in Kettering and was built in the Italianate style, the fashionable one for factories in the town, no doubt recalling the splendid Manfield factory in Northampton of 1957 (demolished 1982). This example is one of the earliest and most impressive boot and shoe factories to survive and it retains its fine external appearance.

{8} Printing Works, Green Lane. Now in use by pine factory/furniture dealer. The building has a very impressive frontage. Red brick with stone detailing. Film 5, photo 17,18,20.

<1> DCMS, 2004, Listing Schedule, (checked) (Schedule). SNN104967.

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 51 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> Ballinger J., 2001, Dalkeith Works Boot And Shoe Factory, Green Lane, Kettering, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN101143.

<4> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.275 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<5> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 51 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<6> Morrison K.A.; Bond A., 2004, Built To Last? The Buildings of The Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Industry, p.12-14 (unchecked) (Book). SNN104903.

<7> Bellamy B, 1993-4, Boot and Shoe factories in Kettering, P8 (Photographs). SNN111256.

<8> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (checked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<9> Ballinger J., 2001, Dalkeith Works Boot And Shoe Factory, Green Lane, Kettering, (unchecked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN101144.

<10> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 363 (Book). SNN111989.

<11> Historic England, Staples Factory (formerly Dalkeith Works), Green Lane, Kettering, BF103570 (Archive). SNN114923.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 7:20PM