Monument record 1160/488/1 - Northampton Machinery Co. Ltd.

Former boot and shoe machinery works built for the Northampton Machinery Co in 1937 (dated rainwater head). Two-storey moderne-style block with offices raised over workshop space. North-lit sheds to the rear. During the Second World War the factory reportedly manufactued munitions as well parts for the Colossus computer at Bletchley Park. In 1999 it continued in its original use, though the emphasis of the products manufactured had moved away from the shoe industry. The works closed during the 1990s and the buildings demolished.

{1}The Northampton Machinery Co factory occupied this site; AA writes at the time of the demolition of the factory that some small workshops on the site " were housed in the type of curved corrugated heavy-guage steel sections that were used for roadside ammunition storage. Just to the north of the demolition site there is an interesting range of brick buildings with flat concrete roofs behind the ATS Euromaster building; also a nissen hut with brick end walls and a larger corrugated steel shed behind these."

{2} Armishaw provides oral report on this recently demolished factory. "….John Coley…Mentioned that his father worked at Northampton Machinery in Balfour Road, Kingsthorpe during the War and that in addition to manufacturing various types of munitions, they also produced parts for the Colossus computer at Bletchley Park."

{3} About 1846-7 amongst those tendering for the erection of gates for the new Northampton General Cemetery was a query from 'Northampton Foundry' but nothing is known of the owner or location of a foundry so-called at that time.
The later Northampton Foundry was located on the north side of Balfour Road near its junction with Kingsthorpe Road in Kingsthorpe Hollow (SP 752 621).
1926 Opened by Northampton Machinery Co. But operated as Northampton Foundry Co
1946 Foundry rebuilt
c. 1972 Foundry closed
The factory's name can be seen on the covers over the gulleys crossing pavements in many streets of the town.

{4} Built in 1937 (dated rainwater head).

<1> Armishaw, A., 2003, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN104608.

<2> Armishaw, A., 2003, Oral Report to SMR, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN103252.

<3> STARMER G., 1981, A Check-List of Northamptonshire Foundries, p.16 (unchecked) (Extract). SNN103905.

<4> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Northampton Site 153 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<5> Undated, Kingfisher Health Studio, 1A Yelvertoft Road (formerly Bective Works, Bective Road and Kingsthorpe Shoe Machinery Works, Yelvertoft Road), Kingsthorpe, Northampton, BF103587 (Archive). SNN113713.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:18PM