Building record 3272/0/21 - Arch Villa (possible former shoe factory), High Street

Small factory complex in existence before 1884. Likely to have had a shoe manufacturing function.

{1} This small factory complex, forming two sides of a yard, has not been certainly identified with directory entries, but all the buildings were in existence before 1884 and a shoe manufactuing function seems likely. The complex results from a phased evolution, the earliest parts perhaps dating from the arrival of factory-scale shoe production in Bozeat. Extending northeastwards from the street frontage house is a narrow two storeyed range of five window bays. It has uncoursed rubble limestone walling exposed on the blind rear wall (north west), but is rendered to the front, where the fenestration is modern in what are probably original openings. At the north east end is a small range gabled at right angles. It has rubble walling raised in brick, and may represent an early building, incorporated in, and altered in, the growing complex. Extending southeastward from this at the back of the yard is a taller and broader two-storeyed range of three bays, with a hipped roof of concrete tiles. This range has windows with cast iron frames, chamfered blue brick sills and segmental heads in which blue and orange headers alternate. A rear lean-to has been added (a structure in this position appears on the 1884 map).

<1> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 3 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<2> Historic England, Undated, Arch Villa, 23 High Street, Bozeat, BF103592 (Archive). SNN116043.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 7:16PM