In November 1901 plans were before the Rushden Urban District Council for a new factory for John Cave & Sons Ltd. This was following the disastrous fire in July 1901 when the factory in the High Street was completely destroyed. It was to be built on land at the back of The Cottage where John Cave and his family lived.
Rushden High Street after the fire in July 1901
The Cave family at The Cottage
The new factory was designed on what was known as the Weaving Shed principle, whereby all the working departments were on one floor. The offices and warehouse were to be in a separate building of two floors, and separated from the factory by fire proof compartments. The machinery was to be the most up-to-date, using the latest methods for most efficiency.
Carts loaded with shoes outside the new factory in what became College Street
John Cave & Sons were prepared to give land from the Cottage Estate so that what was known as Higgins’ Lane could be made into a proper road to be named College Street. This would also give good access between High Street and Wellingborough Road via Duck Street and Fitzwilliam Street.
John Cave
The factory was taken over by Eaton & Co. in c1960 and they remained there until 1984. The building was demolished in 1985 and was redeveloped as Budgen’s supermarket. It is now Wilkinson’s.
Wilkinson’s store on the site of the factory
A stamp holder with the John Cave name, from the Rushden Museum collection
A leather card holder with the John Cave name, from the Rushden Museum collection
I have a pencil advertising John Cave’s factory in Rushden. I wondered if the museum would like it for your collection?
Thank you
C Edgson
Hello, Yes, the museum would be pleased to have the pencil. We are closed for the winter at the moment but we are usually there working on Thursdays. Tomorrow (1st) and next week (8th) we will be there from about 10.00 to 12.00. If you can’t get to the museum please let me know (info@rushdenmuseum.co.uk) and I will arrange something else.
Regards,
Gill