Eric Fowell, 2007

Imperial House in Duck Street had formerly been a billiard hall; it was built in the early 1930’s by Mr D. E. Mitchell (possibly from Kettering). It was bought by Bignells Ltd in 1937, who remained there until 1962. Wilson & Partners sold it in November 1963 for £7,000, when it became the offices of Wilkins & Denton and in 1974 they renamed it “Totector House”. Their two main factories were in Station Road, but there was an alleyway leading from the back of the offices, at the bottom of Carnegie Street, alongside one of the factories to its main entrance in Station Road. The black iron gate beyond the office was into Horrell’s shoe factory, and this was also taken over by Totectors later on.