Building record 1679/31 - Charles Parker & Sons (Boot and shoe factory, Midland Road)

A very large single storey shoe factory that was built by the firm of Charles Parker in 1906, close to the Midland Railway's goods sidings on the east side of Midland Road. The elaborate office range, fronting the street, is the only significant survival of the original factory, which probably consisted of a series of long north-lit ranges. The office range is constructed of brick, with limestone and bluebrick details and a sprocketed plain tile roof. It consists of a three bay ashlar fronstpiece flanked by wings each consisting of four pier and panel bays.

{1} Erected next to the Parish Rooms in 1906. Very elaborately designed boot and shoe factory on Midland Road. Has central 'Offices' block of stone construction with a projecting circular porch way. The wings to either side of the building are of red brick. On the side of the building is a plaque: 'Established 1874. Rebuilt 1906'. Film 1, photo 7-10.

{2} Adjacent to Frank Thomas Ltd is a single storey office block, remains of the shoe factory built by Charles Parker in 1906 and also used as offices for John White Footwear from 1936 until 1970s. It has a projecting semicircular stone porch, with columns and stone facings to the windows on each side. Both buildings are still in use as offices. Immediately opposite is John White Court, consisting of post war bungalows built for retired shoe workers.

{3} A very large single storey shoe factory that was built by the firm of Charles Parker in 1906, close to the Midland Railway's goods sidings on the east side of Midland Road. The elaborate office range, fronting the street, is the only significant survival of the original factory, which probably consisted of a series of long north-lit ranges. The office range is constructed of brick, with limestone and bluebrick details and a sprocketed plain tile roof. It consists of a three bay ashlar fronstpiece flanked by wings each consisting of four pier and panel bays.

Historic England, Undated, The Charles Parker Building and Atlanta House (Frank Thomas Ltd), Midland Road, Higham Ferrers, BF103897 (Archive). SNN113855.

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

<2> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, p.35 (unchecked) (Draft). SNN101121.

<3> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, HIGH 5 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:06PM