Building record 3980/38/1 - Crispin Works (Samuel Sarjeant & Co)

A extensive boot and shoe factory to the rear of 1-4 Well Lane, originated as a long, narrow north-south range built probably, in the early 1880s. In the early 20th century this was widened by the addition of a parallel range of two storeys and ten bays (based on the fenestration). The 1924 Ordnance Survey map (but not previous editions) shows a carriageway passing through this range from north to south. Both ranges have been re roofed with concrete tiles.At the south end of the north south range the 1884 and 1899 maps show a second east west range, the two meeting at a 'T'. This range appears to survive, although following the rebuilding of the north-south range the two now form an 'L' with a flush east front.In 1902 under the ownership of Samuel Sargent and Co, the factory was extended to the south and north. The north extension includes an office front (with the inscription 'SS 1902') built on Well Lane. The southward extension consists of two storeys over a basement with a boiler house stack (for a demolished boiler house) on the south gable. On the south gable a privy tower projects westward, with small windows.SP 88 SW 68,69 and 71 later became part of the factory complex.

{1} Crispin Works (Boot and Shoe), Market Hill. The main building itself is dated 1902. The factory utilises earlier industrial buildings of uncertain date and function and is located adjacent to a large factory owners house (both factory and house employ a similar architectural style). The whole survives as a small industrial landscape. The entire site is currently out of use, derelict and proposed for re-development.

{2} The former Crispin Works in Rothwell represents one of the major industries of the town, developing from modest beginnings in the early 19th century, particularly under the ownership of the Sarjeant Family. It grew to become a major boot and shoe manufacturer in Northamptonshire, the county par excellence of the boot and shoe industry.
However, manufacturing on this site did not begin with the leather industry, and one special interest of the site is that it was the earlier location for the less well known silk industry, making in particular top hats, stockings and breeches.
The buildings of the Crispin Works are typical of the Northamptonshire shoe industry in that they vividly display the tendancy to grow more or less organically, adopting the built form established at the beginning of the 19th century and reflecting the pressing needs of the firm as it developed. Starting behind a row of early Victorian cottages on the south side of the Market Square and running down the early Well Lane they reflect the usual distribution of hand crafts on two and three floors characteristic of the industry. The ground floor, although modified in form by the earlier silk works, contained the heavy side of the work, the lasting, and the delivery and dispatch, but also the crepe burning particularly in favour in the 1940's.
The upper floor, particularly after the demolition of the cottages in c1901, contained a logical progression of work, from the management offices to design, cutting, clicking and skiving, the long E range ending in closing. The parallel range on the west, occupying what is believed to be part of the silk works provided supporting activities such as bottoming and burnishing, ending with the packing department over the ground floor despatch area. The two wings were linked by storage facilities and the works canteen, forming circulation areas. Power, delivered by overhead belt driven shafting was provided by a steam engine in the basement.


{7} The Crispin Works Boot and Shoe factory is first shown on maps of 1926.

<1> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Industrial), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100256.

<2> Woodfield P., 2001, Crispin Works Rothwell Northants: Boot and Shoe Factory of Messrs Samuel Sarjeant & Co., (unchecked) (Report). SNN103085.

<3> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Rothwell site 3 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN105075.

<4> Ballinger J., 2000, Industrial Site, Market Hill/ Well Lane, Rothwell, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN101368.

<5> Ballinger J., 2000, Industrial Site, Market Hill/ Well Lane, Rothwell, (unchecked) (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN101369.

<6> Mountfield, P, 1982, Photographs of shoe factories in Rothwell, photos R13 & 14 (Photographic prints (B&W)). SNN111525.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1926, Third Edition OS Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN54642.

<8> Historic England, Undated, 1-4 Well Lane; Rodewell House, 5 Well Lane; Crispin Cottage, Hospital Hill, Rothwell (formerly Crispin Works), BF103884 (Archive). SNN113891.

Record last edited

Aug 24 2022 2:30PM