Rushden Research Group: Grenson's 1874

Grenson's History

1874 factory

Sketch of the original workshop
by R K Green

At first William Green had made shoes in the loft over the corn merchant’s in Newton Road and sold his wares to a shoe factor, Mr Darnell who travelled up from London on behalf of shoe shops there. He liked the quality and encouraged them to expand.

In the year 1866 William Green started making shoes in the drawing room of a private house in Green's Yard, Rushden and soon built his first factory close by.

Green's Yard was between Albion Place and High Street South, and close to the "Old Meeting" Baptist Church that the family attended.


Behind the first factory built in 1874	Plaque on Green's Factory

Built in 1874 - With pulley for taking leather up to the top floor

Taken by Sam Powell c1890 - sent to us by Wm Church's great granddaughter.

c1890 staff
Back row l-r: Wm Green, William Church, ?, ?, ?.

The firm's next factory was built in the town in 1895 and was greatly extended over the years to meet demand. They remained here for 110 years.


Queen Street Factory built in 1895	and moved from here in 2006. Converted into flats in 2016.

The firm is now in new premises at Crown Park.

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