Building record 1160/326/1 - Early C20 buildings, Westgate Industrial Estate

Recorded as circa First World War cavalry barracks during Defence of Britain Survey. However, the complex was a steam mill at the start of the 20th century. By the Second World War it had been converted to form part of a railway goods depot. Brick buildings here are reported to be barrack blocks with stabling on the lower levels and accomodation above. The site is now part of a Northampton Borough Council Contract Services depot.

{1} Brick buildings are reported to be circa First World War cavalry barrack blocks with stabling on the lower levels and accomodation above. By the Second World War several of the blocks had been converted to form part of a railway goods depot, but their World War II function remains unknown. The buildings now form part of a Northampton Borough Council Contract Services depot.

{2} Site of cavalry barracks at St James' End, but this has been an industrial estate since circa 1843.

{4} Labelled 'Steam Saw Mills' in 1901.

{5} Border Archaeology undertook a Level 2 Archaeological Standing Building Recording of the western building. The recording established that the building was constructed between 1901 and 1906 as a joinery shop associated with the West Bridge Works steam sawmills, before being converted by Northampton Corporation in 1906 into a 36-stall stable and stores building. During the First World War it served as a cavalry barracks, with stabling below and troop accommodation above. From 1922 it housed the CEDOS Motorcycle Company and from the 1930s until c.1980 formed part of the CEDOS Engineering Works, manufacturing specialist aircraft and engineering components, before later use as council depot offices. The survey identified a two-storey brick range with a mid-20th-century single-storey extension and extensive rebuilding and alteration, particularly during the mid-20th century, possibly associated with flood damage in 1939, wartime bombing impacts and changing industrial functions. Surviving historic features included steel-framed scissor roof trusses, timber plank floors, blocked fireplaces at first-floor level, and a series of cast-iron columns on the ground floor interpreted as relating to the former stable layout. Most original fixtures and fittings associated with the building’s use as a joinery shop, cavalry barracks, motorcycle factory and engineering works had been removed during later alterations and conversion to council offices.

<1> Curteis M., 1996, Defence of Britain Project: Site Report Form, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51526.

<2> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources, Recorder: M Curteis (Database). SNN112922.

<3> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

<4> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), Northamptonshire XLV.9, 1901 (Map). SNN112944.

<5> Stephen Priestley, 2026, Archaeological Standing Building Recording: CEDOS Building Westbridge Depot 9-13 St James Mill Road Northampton NN5 5JW (Report). SNN117149.

Record last edited

Jul 30 2026 11:10AM