Monument record 3250/18/1 - 'Northampton Productive Society' Factory, South Street

This single storey boot and shoe factory was constructed in 1881 and originally consisted of three north lit sheds with the entrance in a pedimented central bay where the offices were located. The factory was extended twice, each time adding two further north lit sheds.

{2}Photographs 11,12,13 also show the premises of the former Northants Product Society (NPS).

{4}. The NPS building on South Street is a typical red brick factory of six sheds with lantern light roofs and shows some evidence of alterations to doors and windows. Of the thirteen Wollaston Factories, nine are still standing and 5 have been demolished and replaced with other buildings. Of the buildings still standing only one is still in use as shoe manufacturers (NPS), two are empty, three have been re-used by other companies, and it has not been possible to identify if the remaining three are in use or not

Amy Whichello, writing in 1893, notes that the Boot and Shoe trade had started with hand-sewn army boots in 1860 and increased for the next thirty years, particularly between 1880 and 1890 at least 5000 pairs of boots were being made every week and several factories has been erected. She goes on to say 'There is a branch of NPS here, Wollaston is lighted by gas, and we have a post and telegraph office, a co-operative stores and a combined coffee tavern and reading room, a new building for these purposes having been recently opened.' The NPS, which Whichello mentions, is Northampton Productive Society a co-operative of shoe workers, which was established in Wollaston in 1881 and moved to purpose built premises in South Street at the start of the 20th century. This building is still in use by the company.

Historic England, Undated, N.P.S. (shoes) Ltd., South Street, Wollaston, BF103699 (Archive). SNN113281.

<1> ELLISON M., 1999, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN53956.

<2> ELLISON M., 1999, PHOTOGRAPHS, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN51657.

<3> Robinson B.J., 1999, Pictorial History of Wollaston, (unchecked) (Book). SNN57977.

<4> Richards K., 2001, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Wollaston, Section 3.1.3 Boot and Shoe Industry (Report). SNN101566.

<5> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2000, Northamptonshire Boot and Shoe Survey, Wollaston Site 7 (Catalogue). SNN105075.

Record last edited

Apr 28 2022 9:16AM