Building record 1160/0/322 - Site of JGH Roe's shoe factory, 3-5 Freeschool Street and 12 Gregory Street

Large and complex shoe factory. Henry Marshall, boot and shoe manufacturer, moved to 3 Freeschool Street in the mid 19th century and Barker's leather works occupied premises in the angle of Gregory Street by the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, J & GH Roe acquired Barkers, the former offices of Pateman and subsequently 3 Freeschool Street. A warehouse was added on Gregory Street by 1928. The complex was empty by 1937, but was occupied by various businesses for much of the 20th century. A three storey flat-roofed block on Gregory Street is the principle surviving component of J.G.H Roe's shoe factory, now mostly a car park. It is brick built with concrete floors and a flat roof. North-light sheds also appear to survive, although they are largely obscured.

{4} Archaeological evaluation undertaken in 1990 included an architectural analysis of the recently demolished Victorian shoe factories. The west end of the shoe factory was demolished in the 1970s and only a small section of walling now survives. At the south-west corner of the surviving wall part of a door jamb survives which is suggested dates from the conversion of the church into a school in the mid 16th century. At the east end a three storey brick-built section of the factory survives; a section of stone walling survives at second storey height. The east end of the north elevation is visible where Roe's factory adjoined Pateman's boot factory. It is of masonry and includes two blocked windows which may be the remnants of the rebuitl school of 1840. it is possible that some early walling is hidden in the core of the walls.

<1> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Northampton 168 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<2> Historic England, Undated, 3-5 Freeschool Street and 12 Gregory Street, Northampton, BF103527 (Archive). SNN113826.

<3> NAU, 1991, Freeschool Street/St Gregory's St, Trial trench (SMR Report Form). SNN48972.

<4> SHAW M.; O'HARA P., 1990, Archaeological Evaluation at Freeschool Street/Gregory Street, Northampton (Full Report). SNN2072.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:26PM