SNN105409 - Historic Building Record: Drage Shoe Factory, London Road, Bozeat, Northamptonshire

This report has been written and prepared by CgMs Ltd, on behalf of Wilby Homes Ltd. The report details the findings of an historic building record of the buildings which make up the former Drage Shoe Factory situated at the junction of Hope Street and London Road, Bozeat, Northamptonshire, centred at NGR SP90485951. The factory has undergone numerous extensions and alterations under the tenure of several different manufacturing operations. The record was particularly visual, comprising on-site recording and analysis complimented by documentary research. The purpose of the survey was to create a permanent historical record of the building and associated structures, their history and evolution, in advance of refurbishment and partial demolition. Planning permission has been granted by the Local Planning Authority (WP/2003/0624/F) for the conversion and refurbishment of the historic factory range on the northern part of the site to provide high quality apartment style accommodation. The scope of the study included the recording of all the standing structures located on the site which were constructed in four main phases from c.1890. Initially constructed as a shoe and boot manufacturing workshop, during the latter years of the 20th century the buildings were reused as storage warehousing for office furniture. This has resulted in the wholesale removal of all machinery, fixtures and fittings associated with its earlier use although little structural alteration appears to have taken place as a result. In a number places the walls of the ground floor have been pierced to give access to the range to the south. On the upper storeys new flooring has been laid to cover earlier openings or in some cases replacing rotten boards and joists.