Former Richard Roberts Factory

Former Richard Roberts Factory, built in 1915 by G.Lawton Brown and Percy C. Jones for Toone and Kelsey, Hosiery Manufacturers, is a former hosiery factory. It is also known as the Richard Roberts Factory and was previously named Richard Roberts Factory. The building is constructed of various shades of brick with red brick and concrete dressings, and has a flat roof concealed behind a parapet. A prominent brick stack is located at the east end. The architectural style is English Baroque.

The building has a rectangular plan with an irregular eastern end and stands three storeys high with a basement. It has fifteen bays along its longer sides and seven bays across, featuring mostly metal-framed windows with glazing bars. Tall brick pilasters rise from a rusticated concrete base, supporting a moulded concrete frieze and modillion cornice. Corner pavilions have concrete pilasters rising from channelled rusticated ground floor bases. Ornamental doorcases or arches form the entrances at the ends of the longer fronts. Attached lower ancillary buildings are present at the east end to house power facilities and other equipment. Notably, a tall chimney with tapering sides and an ornamental concrete top rises above the factory at this eastern end.

The interior retains its original open-plan layout, featuring a steel frame and hardwood floors. Coloured tiling is present in basement areas and staircases. The roof is supported by steel trusses.

This factory is a significant and well-detailed example of early 20th century industrial architecture, reflecting a period of importance for the East Midlands hosiery industry.