Building record 7198/417/1 - Ken Hall Footwear Ltd, Newman Street

A three storey boot and shoe factory built at the end of Newman Street. This brick-built factory has ashlar dressings and a slate covered roof. The factory was built during 1873 for M Newman and Sons. The factory was extended to the west by 1924. In 1929 George Essain and Co were on the site and by 1937 Bignell Ltd were the occupants. The present company, Ken Hall Footwear Ltd began producing here from the 1990s.

{1} Factory, Newman Street. Large building shown on map on Newman Street, clearly a factory of some kind. Now in use by 'Ken Hall Footwear'. Very impressive frontage of red brick with stone dressings. More basic three storey structrue behind this. Film 6, photo 2,3, 7.

{2} In Newman Street off Mill Road immediately to east of town centre. Shoe factory built for N.Newman & Sons in 1870s. Of red brick with stone quoins and arches above windows. Three-storey frontage of italianate appearance, with 4-storey central tower having a pyramidal roof. Behind are a range of single two and three storey buildings. In 1930s used by G.Essam & Co. Still in use today by bespoke shoemakers Ken Hall Shoes.

{3} This factory was built for Newman and Sons c.1873 and they are noted as still operating here in 1906. By 1924 the factory was extended to the west and the yard infilled. In 1929 George Essain and Co were here and 1937 Bignell Ltd, both boot and shoe manufacturers, as are the present occupants, Ken Hall Footwear Ltd, who began producing here in the 1990’s.
This well-detailed factory was one of the earliest large boot and shoe factories in Kettering and 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 boot and shoe factories to survive still producing footwear and thus retaining the traditional interior.

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

<2> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, p.19 (unchecked) (Draft). SNN101121.

<3> DCMS, 2004, Listing Schedule, (checked) (Schedule). SNN104967.

<4> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 50 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<5> Morrison K.A.; Bond A., 2004, Built To Last? The Buildings of The Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Industry, p.12-14 (unchecked) (Book). SNN104903.

<6> Bellamy B, 1993-4, Boot and Shoe factories in Kettering, P 1&2 (Photographs). SNN111256.

<7> Historic England, Ken Hall Footwear, Newman Street, Kettering, BF103569 (Archive). SNN114927.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 7:20PM