Building record 1624/20/1 - Express Hall, Nene View

This single storey building was associated with the Express boot and shoe factory and appears to have been the closing works. It was built c.1937, is of a U-shaped plan and has Crittall windows.

{1} Express Hall was built by John Shortland after the war. It was the works canteen but also to be developed for dancing, reading games, cinema, shooting gallery and other amenities.

{2} A single-storeyed building constructed of rusticated Fletton bricks, with an asbestos roof and Crittall windows throughout. The entrance in the northern elevation has a brick porch with limestone dressings. A sign over the porch reads "Express Hall". The windows have projecting concrete sills and lintels. A flat-roofed block on the east end of the north elevation appears to have contained the services. A similar but smaller block at the west end has a large stack and probably housed the boiler. The building is of a 1930s style and appears to have been built as a recreational hall for employees of the Express Works. The factory was greatly expanded in 1937 and it is possible that this building was part of that expansion. It has latterly been used as a closing workshop.

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

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Site 13 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<3> Historic England, Undated, Express Hall, Nene View, Irthlingborough, BF103689 (Archive). SNN114071.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:19PM