GT Hawkins Factory: History

The Hawkins Factory is a former boot and shoes factory. It was built in several phases by two different companies that were later merged together. The first factory was built aorund 1875 and then extended in late 1880'. The facades are mainly red or polychrome brick with iron frame windows and slate roofs. The range on the corner of Overstone Road and St Michael's Road, originally Hornby and West has three storeys and basement. Range on Overstone Road and corner of Dunster Road wa built around 1880' and it was the original GT hawkins factory with 3 storeys. The range next to the first on Dunster Road wa built as an extension in the late 1890' and it has three storeys and basement. The range on St Michael's Road next to the original Hornby and West wa also built around 1890' for GT Hawkins and it has 4 storeys and basement.

Hornby and West but it was bought between 1912 and 1916 by GT Hawkins and alterations were made to integrate and merge the two factories.

The GT Hawkins factory is a Grade II listed building and together with many other significant shoe factories is part of the Boot and Shoe Quarter, which represent the shoe and boot industry of Northampton.