The Factory of Messrs. John Cave and Sons, Ltd.

Contemplated Re-Building at Rushden on a New Site.

  After the numerous inducements which, since the disastrous fire last July, have been offered to Messrs. John Cave and Sons, Ltd., to remove their works to other towns, it is with a sense of relief that we hear the firm have now before the Urban Council plans for a new factory, to be erected at the back of The Cottage, the residence of Mr. John Cave.  These plans, we understand, came before the Plans Committee of the Rushden Urban Council at their meeting on Wednesday night.

  It is proposed that the new factory shall be on what is known as the Weaving Shed principle of having all the working departments on one floor.  The offices and warehouses will be a separate building, separated from the factory proper by fire proof compartments, and will be of two storeys.  The site contemplated will afford ample space for future additions and enlargements, which we earnestly hope, for the prosperity of the town, will be required before many years have past.  The machinery will be of the most up-to-date character, and the latest methods will be adopted to render every department effective.

  Many of the machines will be of their own manufacture and will include their patent standard Rotary Lock-stitch Welters and Stitching and Rounding Machines.  These splendid machines are also being put on the market and sold without royalty.  From the very successful results which have attended the use of these machines in their own and other factories, we hope it will lead before long to a new industry being planted in our midst.

  The buildings are to be erected at the Duck-street end of the Cottage Estate, and there will probably be an entrance from West-street as well as from College-street.

  Messrs. Cave, we believe, are prepared to give land from the Cottage Estate so as to make Higgin’s-lane a good wide street worthy of its new name of College-street, on condition that the Urban Council will take over the making of the street.  We need scarcely point out the extreme advantage it would be to have a good communication from High-street to the Wellingborough-road, and we feel sure the members of the Urban Council will do all they possibly can to secure so desirable an improvement.  No doubt the Council will readily recognise that, in the interests of the town at large, every possible effort should be made to assist Messrs. Cave in their new enterprise, and interests of the firm and the town being identical.

The Rushden Echo, 6th December 1901. Rushden Urban Council - Plans - Messrs. J. Cave and Sons Ltd. For new factory off College-street and passed subject to compliance with Byelaws 17 and 21.   A letter accompanied this plan stating the Company would be prepared to give the necessary land for widening College-street to 36 feet if the Council would construct the road with proper causeways and take over the same. The Surveyor was instructed to reply that this matter would be carefully considered by the Council if Messrs. Caves would submit plans showing the company’s proposals with regard to the street throughout its entire length from High-street to Duck-street, and further that the Committee would be inclined to recommend the Council to favourably entertain the idea of contributing towards the expense of effecting the improvement and afterwards declaring the street a public highway.

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