Major plans submitted for famous shoemaker to open brand new factory at derelict site in Northampton

Plans have been submitted to transform the long-vacant Horizon House site, just off St Peter’s Way roundabout, into a new factory for famous shoemaker John Lobb.

The proposals would see a new workshop and warehouse built behind and attached to the historic Horizon House building.

John Lobb, founded in 1849, said: “Relocation to the site will allow the business to remain in the town where it has historical links, reinforcing the town’s heritage and maintaining employment for the specialist skilled workforce.

"JL is a successful business, providing employment for Northampton residents, and the upgraded facilities will provide employees with a higher quality and more sustainable workplace.

“The principal objective is a new workshop supporting John Lobb’s continued production and growth in Northampton, delivering a high-quality, sustainable, inclusive workplace on a regenerated brownfield site.

“The objectives are to: provide a purpose-built workshop supporting John Lobb’s specialist operations and increased production capacity; allow John Lobb to remain in Northampton and continue the town’s internationally recognised shoemaking legacy; support increased employment and the retention, training and transmission of specialist craft skills; improve staff working conditions - comfort, daylight, ventilation, welfare, accessibility and amenity.

"The relocation is not a departure from John Lobb’s Northampton heritage, but the means of securing it.”

It adds: “The development proposals will enable JL shoe and boot manufacturing to relocate and remain within Northamptonshire. This in turn will retain a specialist skilled workforce that has strong existing and historical link to the area. The current JL staff level is 104 employees, and in the long term, JL expect to hire 100 – 150 new staff. The new facility will therefore support business expansion, including protecting existing jobs and the creation of new jobs, enabling JL to meet the demands of its customers, and maintain the tradition of manufacturing in Northampton and the UK.”

The site was once part of Northampton's gasworks before later being used by British Gas.

It has stood empty since the later British Gas office buildings were demolished in the early 2010s, with Horizon House itself described in the plans as being in need of repair.

The plans come nearly two years after West Northamptonshire Council approved the sale of the site to John Lobb in October 2024, paving the way for the shoemaker's proposed move and expansion.

According to plans, Horizon House itself would be partly demolished, refurbished and brought back into use for offices and staff facilities.

The wider site would also get a new service yard, landscaping, drainage, car and cycle parking, a showroom and a small John Lobb shop.

There would be 61 car parking spaces and an enclosed cycle store would have room for 44 bikes.

The new factory would provide large, well-lit spaces for John Lobb's specialist shoemaking processes, alongside storage, logistics, welfare and visitor facilities.

The proposed development would also see the company bring its staff facilities up to scratch, with changing, washing, welfare, dining and breakout areas included in the new building.

A new entrance and social space called the Village would sit between Horizon House and the workshop, providing a shared arrival point for staff and visitors.

The architects say the new building has been designed with Northampton's boot and shoe manufacturing heritage in mind, drawing on the character of traditional industrial buildings without simply copying them.

The plans include solar panels, better drainage, new trees, hedges, wildflowers and other planting to make the currently empty, paved site greener and more attractive.

The company currently operates from Westminster Works in Oliver Street, where it employs 104 people.

The planning application says the existing factory has become constrained and inefficient, with limited space for production, servicing and staff facilities.

The planning application will now be considered by West Northamptonshire Council, with a target decision date of November 18.