Trickers

A boot and shoe factory, dating primarily from the 1880s, with significant remodelling and extensions in the 1930s and around 1912. A late 19th-century house (No. 54) was later incorporated into the complex as additional office space.

The first range presents a dark brown glazed brick facade with a flat roof. It rises to three storeys, featuring a four-window arrangement at the first floor, with three- and five-light leaded mullion and transom windows, some including stained glass detail in the top lights. Similar windows are present on all floors, with a double entrance door to the far left and a part-glazed pedestrian door with overlight in the adjacent bay.

Range 2, dating to approximately 1912, is constructed of red brick with painted stone or stucco dressings and a slate roof. It also rises to three storeys, with six wooden mullion and transom windows at the first floor, and a taking-in door to the far right. Similar windows and taking-in doors are present on the other floors. A double entrance door is set within a moulded doorcase to the far left. The facade is articulated by moulded brick pilasters rising from the first-floor sill band to the moulded top cornice, and the second-floor windows have projecting brick aprons.

Range 3, added in the 1930s, adopts a simpler design with a red brick facade and a slate roof. It incorporates a three-window arrangement of large iron-framed windows, with pilasters and projecting aprons below the second-floor windows.

The rear of the factory features single-, two-, and three-storey wings exhibiting similarly large windows.

The interior reveals a steel frame construction with boarded floors and ceilings, and partially exposed wooden ceiling beams and joists. The building’s functions historically included making and finishing on the ground floor, ‘closing’ on the first floor, and ‘clicking’ on the second floor.

The incorporated house, now used as offices, is built of red brick, partially painted, with a slate roof and a bracketed eaves cornice. It has been altered with 20th-century windows.

The factory complex displays a careful architectural integration of its three ranges, creating a harmonious ensemble with a strong emphasis on maximizing window space. It is a significant component of the most important group of boot and shoe industry buildings in Northampton.