22/09/06 

In August 1962, three weeks before his 15^th birthday, Gordon Carroll started work at Barratts Shoe Factory in Kingsthorpe. Thirty six years later, Gordon slipped the keys through the letterbox for the last time when the factory, then known as The Stylo Shoe Factory, finally closed after almost a hundred years of manufacture.

 

He never thought he’d be back but Gordon will return on 4th October to cut the ribbon on a brand new development of homes for rent and sale. 

Nottingham Community Housing Association will be unveiling their first mixed tenure scheme which will aim to reduce the waiting list for social rented properties in Northampton which has also grown substantially over the past decade. In 1996 there were 2,758 names on the list – now there are 6,681.

Renamed The Stylo to reflect its classy conversion as well as its history, this clever renovation on a brownfield site has 55 modern one and two bedroomed apartment. Fifteen on the ground floor are for rent (with nominations from Northampton Borough Council); 20 on the next floor are for shared ownership; and the top levels have 20 apartments for 75% shared and outright sale. Prices start from £116,000 with 50 and 75% shares coming in at £58,000 and £105,000 respectively.

With average house price in Northampton now topping £158,000 and the average wage at £21,000 it’s not hard to see why homebuyers are struggling to purchase property worth almost eight times as much. It’s hoped that The Stylo will help 40 new home-owners onto the housing ladder and Gordon for one can’t wait to see what we’ve done to his old workplace!

Contact Knight Frank on 01604 717070 for sales details of the apartments.