Building record 7203/85/1 - Boot & Shoe Machinery Works, Portland Road

(Fred Hawkes Ltd., N.C.C., Dunlop Footwear Ltd., Odell) This shoe machinery works built circa 1925, on the north side of Portland Road may have originated at right angles to the street, at the east end of the present large plot. The plot is now occupied by a large single-storey works. It has a twelve bay parapeted south front in orange brick. The parapet over the main entrance in the central bay of this elevation has the inscribed legend 'Fred Hawkes'. Behind the brick front are a series of north-lit ranges set at right angles to the street. The western most rangs had a west wall of corrugated iron, perhaps in anticipation of expansion.

{1} Factory complex on Portland Road. Part of the complex remains, but is much changed now known as 'Leigh House'. The other part has been demolished and modern flats stand on the site. Film 8 photo 13-15.
Boot and Shoe engineering business, Portland Road
In 1915 Fred Hawkes began an engineering works for the boot and shoe industry in Portland Road. The offices became the Northamptonshire County Council School meals canteen after 1946. The current 'Fred Hawkes' factory on Portland Road are post 1926 and is now utilised by a number of small businesses including Dunlop Footwear and Odell Components. Film 8 photo 16.

{2} Engineering business making malleable iron Army heel and toe tips, began in Irthlingborough and later moved to Rushden. Fred Hawkes left the company in 1914.

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

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 41 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> Historic England, Undated, Odell Components (formerly Fred Hawkes Works), Portland Road, Rushden, BF103753 (Archive). SNN114156.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:20PM