Building record 1160/0/337 - 12 Ethel Street

An L-plan boot and shoe factory built in 1875 and comprising three storeys and a basement. Now converted into flats.

{1} The elevations on Ethel Street and Woodford have identical architectural details. They both rest on a blue-brick plinth incorporating the basement windows. Above first-floor level pier-and-panel construction has been used and the arches to the second-floor windows are supported on brick corbels projecting from the recessed panels. Between 1884 and 1898 the Ethel Street range was extended southwards over the original yard.

{2} Datestone of 1875. The use of eight bays on Woodford Street means that the decorative pediment with loading doors and wall-mounted crane are all off-centre. Originally four bays on Ethel Street; an extra two bays were added by 1901. John Marlow & Son occupied the factory until c1893 (subsequently moving to Phoenix Works). At least two shoe companies occupied the factory between c1919 and c1940. After WWII, it was used as furniture depository by Jeffrey & Sons. Briefly used by the Northampton Legging Gaiter and Spat Co in 1970. Now converted to apartments.

{3} 10-12 Ethel Street is included in the Local Heritage List.

<1> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Northampton Site 129 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<2> Perkins, P, Whittaker, R and Denton, A, 2022, A Guide to the Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire, p. 62/ Site 273 (Book). SNN113793.

<3> West Northamptonshire Council, 2024, Local Heritage List, November 2024, p. 27 (Report). SNN116732.

Record last edited

Mar 3 2025 9:06AM