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John Cave & Sons

Temporary Plans after the 1901 Fire

Town Surveyor’s Office
Rushden

29th Aug 1901

Dear Sirs,

Adverting to the plans submitted last evening for temporary premises in Lawton Road, Station Road & Church Street in which it is understood you wish to carry on your business pending the erection of a new Factory, the Committee wish me to inform you that they fully appreciates the unfortunate position in which you have been placed by the disastrous fire & whilst it is impossible for them, under the Bye Laws, to formally pass the Plans, they will take no exception to the Buildings in question if you will give an undertaking to remove them when called upon. In fact, I may say the committee are anxious to assist you in every way possible.

I shall be glad if you will send me a letter giving the undertaking required.

I remain, Dear Sirs,
Yours faithfully,
W B Madin

Messrs J Cave & Sons Ltd
Rushden

31st August 1901 – Reply from John Cave & Sons Ltd

Dear Sir,

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Thursday and to thank you & the Committee for the courtesy and consideration extended to us.

As requested we hereby agree to remove the erections referred to in your letter whenever required to do so.

We are, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
John Cave & Sons Limited
(signed) Stephen Michell Secretary.


outworker delivering his work
This picture was captioned "hand stitcher returning 'outwork' to Cave's factory in Wagon Yard" - c1905 so just before their new factory was opened in College Street.

There were cottages behind that were probably used as a temporary measure.



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