Monument record MNN173576 - Site of West Bridge Tannery, St James Road

A tannery was located on the south side of St James Road from the mid 19th century until the early/mid 20th century. Tanning pits are depicted on the Second Edition OS map of 1901 and one was identified during archaeological evaluation.

{1} 'At James' End, Duston are also the extensive tanning and currying works of Messrs Wetherall and Neepe which employ many hands being the largest works of that chracter in the county'.

{2} The tannery was probably built at some point between 1849 and 1869 based on trade directory entries. Tan pits are depicted on the 1901 2nd edition OS map. The West Bridge tannery is known as the Ultra Chrome Tanning Co in Kelly's 1918 directory. By 1938 the site was occupied by an Engineering Works. A timber-revetted of c19th century date was identified in Trench 3 (on the road frontage) along with a drain and 19th century buildings.

<1> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire (Book). SNN1002.

<2> Shaw, M., 1996, Archaeological evaluation of the former Travis Perkins site, St James' End, Northampton, p, 2, 3 and 8 (Report). SNN74014.

<3> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), 25"/1901 (Map). SNN112944.

Record last edited

Oct 14 2026 9:02AM