Plans to axe landmark - ONE of Rushden's most unusual landmarks is falling under the demolition man's hammer — possibly to make way for flats. The V shaped, four-storey Victorian building (pictured) used to house the Jaques and Clark shoe factory — one of the town's leading manufacturers in its heyday.
But the firm closed down in 1980 and plans are soon to go before East Northants Council for permission to build 27 flats with car parking facilities at the site at the junction of Midland Road and Station Road.
The scheme, submitted by Bedford architects on behalf of a Kempston builder, is likely to be considered on February 1.
Mr Tom Thacker, who worked at the factory for 52 years and became a co-director, said: "It is certainly a unique type of building. In the days when you could travel by train from Rushden to Wellingborough the factory was a very imposing building seen from the carriages."
A spokesman for the architects said the new building would retain the distinctive V shape outline. The flats would provide one and two bedroom accommodation.
The iconic Jaques & Clark shoe factory
The Station Road Totectors c1975 (left) demolished 1998 and the
Jaques & Clark factory (right) demolished in 1984.
Below: The flats that were built on the site of Jaques & Clark's fine factory which was demolished in 1984
Three pictures of the demolition in October 1998 of Totectors' factories
This one in Carnegie Street
This factory had been built originally for Jaques & Son - part was used at
sometime as a canteen
View across the factory site to the flats on the Jaques & Clark factory site
A series of photos taken by Mervyn Wood
before demolition begins 2018
The Ambulance Station demolished (2018)
The old BU building, used by Hunts Printers c2010
Right: The bottom section of Station Road in the 1916 Blizzard. The imposing building is Jaques & Clark
shoe factory. In front the BU building was just under construction. Next to that the Ambulance Station above was built, and that faced the St John HQ and the old Swimming Pool.
Below: Cyril Freeman's Garage, built on the site of the
old stables for the horses for the Railway Station.
The site has been derelict since about 2000.
c1964 The old building at the junction of High Street and Station Road
George Salt Motor Cycles and Rowthorn's furnishing.
These buildings pictured in 2004 - opposite the railway stables where animal feed was traded, by Freeman's.
2020 After redevelopment of Freemans Garage,
and the ambulance station.
Across High Street there is the old railway station and
Travis Perkins. This part of the road is now called
John Clark Way and runs up to the bypass.
