Building record 1624/35/1 - Excelsior Boot and Shoe Works

This site is a boot and shoe factory of three storeys that was built in 1893 and expanded by 1900 and again by 1924. It has a dog-leg plan and a plaque reading " Excelsior Boot and Shoe Works 1893".

{1} The Excelsior Boot and Shoe Works which were built in four phases from 1893. They are a good example of the transition from the 3-storey block to the single storey buildings at the rear which were necessary to accommodate larger and heavier machinery.

{2} Excelsior Boot and Shoe Works, Scarborough Road. Boot and Shoe Works now converted to flats. Typical three storey red brick factory with small amounts of architectural / decorative detail. "Excelsior Boot and Shoe Works 1893" on side of building.

{4} History:
1884 Not shown on OS 1:2500, XL.1
1899 ShownonOS 1:2500,XL.1
1916 J P Horn and sons, Excelsior Works, includes picture of the works (SLN)
1922 Horn J. & Sons, Excelsior Works. (KLT)
1924 Expanded ‘boot and shoe works’ shown on 05 1:2500, XL.1
1929 Horn J. & Sons, Excelsior Works. (KLT)
1937 Horn J. & Sons, Excelsior Works. (KLT)
1938 Norton & Lawman (EUS)
1963-4 Shown on OS 1:2500, SP 9470 & SP 9570
2000 Residential conversion

This boot and shoe factory was built in 1893, expanded by 1900 and again by 1924. The latter buildings have been removed, probably when the factory was converted into flats. The initial three-storey building occupied the southeast corner of the site and was of a dogleg plan with a three-bay gable end and four and five-bays along the dogleg. The windows have segmental heads and blue brick sills. An original entrance in the southeast gable has been blocked and there was originally a taking-in door above this on the second floor. Within the apex of the gable a plaque is inscribed “Excelsior Boot and Shoe Works 1893”. There is an original privy or hoist block in the inside angle of the dogleg. In the late 1890s a three-storey thirteen by four bay range was added to the northeast. This range is of a similar design to the initial build apart from the gable end which has limestone keystones, springers and drip-moulds to the windows and a bull’s-eye window in the gable apex. There was formerly an entrance in the southeast elevation which was converted into a window and then blocked completely; however it retains its 1920s-looking “offices” sign. The map evidence shows that by 1924 the factory had expanded to the northwest, probably in the form of north-lit sheds; scars in the brickwork appear to confirm this. In 1938 Norton and Lawman, boot and shoe makers, took over the works.

Description from record 1624/35:
{1} Excelsior Boot and Shoe Works, Scarborough Road. In 1938 Norton and Lawman boot and shoe workers took over the works, gradually expanded firm and later moved to site of old vicarage.

{2} Built in 1893 for JP Horn and O Partridge. Later used by F Norton and Sons until 1958.

{3} History:
1884 Not shown on OS 1:2500, XL.1
1899 ShownonOS 1:2500,XL.1
1916 J P Horn and sons, Excelsior Works, includes picture of the works (SLN)
1922 Horn J. & Sons, Excelsior Works. (KLT)
1924 Expanded ‘boot and shoe works’ shown on 05 1:2500, XL.1
1929 Horn J. & Sons, Excelsior Works. (KLT)
1937 Horn J. & Sons, Excelsior Works. (KLT)
1938 Norton & Lawman (EUS)
1963-4 Shown on OS 1:2500, SP 9470 & SP 9570
2000 Residential conversion

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

<2> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<3> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, NIAG Industrial Gazetteer, (unchecked) (Draft). SNN101121.

<4> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Irthlingborough Site 6 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<5> Historic England, Undated, Excelsior Court (formerlyExcelsior Boot and Shoe Works), Scarborough Street, Irthlingborough, BF103683 (Archive). SNN114092.

<6> Palmer M; Neaverson P., 1992, Industrial Landscapes of the East Midlands, p.91 (checked) (Book). SNN3691.

Record last edited

Sep 14 2022 3:37PM