Plans to axe landmark - ONE of Rushden's most unusual landmarks is falling under the demolition man's hammer possibly to make way for flats. The V shaped, four-storey Victorian building (pictured) used to house the Jaques and Clark shoe factory one of the town's leading manufacturers in its heyday.
But the firm closed down in 1980 and plans are soon to go before East Northants Council for permission to build 27 flats with car parking facilities at the site at the junction of Midland Road and Station Road.
The scheme, submitted by Bedford architects on behalf of a Kempston builder, is likely to be considered on February 1.
Mr Tom Thacker, who worked at the factory for 52 years and became a co-director, said: "It is certainly a unique type of building. In the days when you could travel by train from Rushden to Wellingborough the factory was a very imposing building seen from the carriages."
A spokesman for the architects said the new building would retain the distinctive V shape outline. The flats would provide one and two bedroom accommodation.
The iconic Jaques & Clark shoe factory
Below: The flats that were built on the site of Jaques & Clark's fine factory
Three pictures of the demolition in October 1998 of Totectors' factories
This one in Carnegie Street
This factory had been built originally for Jaques & Son - part was used at
sometime as a canteen
Looking across the factory site to the flats on the Jaques & Clark factory site
More flats on this site - Totector Court
Two lost buildings where Splash Pool stands today
St John Ambulance HQ c1910
The Swimming Pool built in 1928
The Ambulance Station stands empty today (2014)
The old BU building, used by Hunts Printers c2010
Right: The bottom section of Station Road in the
1916 Blizzard. The imposing building is Jaques & Clark
shoe factory. In front the BU building was just under construction. Next to that the Ambulance Station above was built, and that faced the St John HQ and the old Swimming Pool.
Below: Cyril Freeman's Garage, built on the site of the
old stables for the horses for the Railway Station.
The site has been derelict since about 2000.