SNN103931 - The Factory of Sudborough & Son Ltd, Commercial Street, Higham Ferrers

The early boot and shoe industry in Higham Ferrers developed greatly in the 1880-1900 period, partly as an extension of Rushden, and new interdependent 'industrial suburbs' were created. Alfred Sudborough & Son moved into an earlier 3-storey factory building off the Wellingborough Road, forming the Westfields suburb, in 1913. The present building, subject of this survey, is the result of various rebuildings following fires, including one as recent as 1949. These opportunities were taken to taken to rebuild as a more extended process on two-floor and single story lit with north-light roofs following the usual trends in the industry. They produced medieum quality boots and shoes for the armed forces, and later under various 'badges' for a variety of types until closure in 1997. The factory is a two storey building, cut down from three storeys, at the south end of the block, and a single storey building at the north end, linked together by an office building on Commercial Street. This frontage has minimal architectural pretensions.