Click here to return to the main site entry page
Click here to return to the previous page

Jaques & Clark

Jaques & Clark began shoemaking in Victoria Road in 1888, but soon outgrew the
space and built their first factory in 1890 in Fitzwilliam Street. From there they
moved to Station Road, where they remained until the company closed down.

Jaques & Clark
Company in 1903
Closure in 1980
Employees in 1980
The factory stands well back from the road
The first factory built in 1890
in Fitzwilliam Street
Rushden Echo, 29th January 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins

Labour Dispute at Rushden - Objection to Non-Unionist Workers Men Return to Work
A strike occurred on Monday at the factory of Mr John Clark, trading as Messrs Jaques and Clark, boot manufacturers, Rushden. Altogether there are about 400 employed, in-workers and out-workers. The dispute arose through the members of the Boot and Shoe Operatives’ Union refusing to work with non-unionists. We understand that about 20 of the inside male employees, besides females, are non-unionists. The officials of the local branch of the Boot and Shoe Operatives’ Union were consulted, and negotiations were opened.

On Tuesday the men met the branch officials at the factory at 7a.m. and discussed the whole question, and at 10a.m. they met again at the Co-operative Hall. Mr John Clark was present at the invitation of the Union, and the whole position was discussed in a very friendly spirit.

Mr Clark says he believes that every man should be free to join the Union or not as he wishes, and he adds that he has never shown any favouritism as between unionists and non-unionists. He objects, he says, to have to inquire, in setting on an operative, whether he is a member of the union or not. On the other hand, the trade unionists argue that they are weakening the improvement of conditions of both unionists and non-unionists and that those outside the union ought to come inside.

A court of enquiry was held on Wednesday night by the sub-committee of the local Arbitration Board, and the proceedings were of a fairly satisfactory character.

On Thursday morning the men returned to work on the conditions which existed before the strike. The factory was kept going the whole time for the non-unionists.


1950s
Top centre of this 1950s picture is John Cave and Sons Ltd factory, built in 1901, and later extended. The grass area below is the land of their 'Commonwealth Sports Ground'. Also in this view, bottom left of centre is the old open-air swimming pool.

Across the road from the sports ground is the factory of Wilkins & Denton (formerly Bignells) and near the bottom right corner is part of the Jaques and Clark factory.

At the bottom the railway track and the old British United Shoe Machinery factory, now occupied by Hunt's Printers.



Click here to return to the main index of features
Click here to return to the Shoe Trade index