Row of cottages (left) and the factory (white) in West Street.
Phipps & Son Ltd were established at Northampton in 1822. By 1898 they had opened a branch at Rushden in West Street, where they made buckles, binding, buttons, lace and linings for boots and shoes. They also supplied and dressed leather. In 1905 they moved to a new factory in East Grove.
31 October 1902 - Northampton Mercury
Messrs Phipps and Son, of Guildhall-road, on Saturday evening, further celebrated the completion their new premises by entertaining their mechanics, warehousemen, porters, etc. including those from Kettering and Rushden branches, numbering about 40, to supper at Franklin's Restaurant.
Rushden Echo, 28th February 1908, transcribed by Kay Collins
During the Gale on Monday afternoon three sheets of zinc—the roofing of a hen-roost, the property of Mr. John Willmott, junr., of East-grove—were carried by the wind to the top of the factory adjoining, occupied by Messrs. Phipps, leather merchants.
Mr William H Pingstone was the manager here. He died in 1957 aged 85. His daughter Vera took over the manager's position after her father retired in 1938. Vera died in 1961 aged 55, after 36 years with the firm.
The Rushden factory in East Grove in the 1990s when it was 'Magpies'
An invoice dated 1943 showing the branches at London, Leicester, Kettering, Rushden & Norwich.
