About 1898, William Campion and his brother-in-law, William Ashford, began manufacturing heels at their home in Wymington. They had previously been working in a shoe factory, making and attaching heels, so once having learnt the technique of heel manufacture, they realised they could turn this into a profitable small business. The two men and their wives were the only employees in the early days, manufacturing mens, youths and boys shoe heels; however, as the business grew more profitable, more women were employed.

Ashford & Campion Ltd Cut Sole Dept. in Sartoris Road - photo taken in 2007 In 2015 flats are being built on the site.

The firm moved to Newton Road in 1908 and the premises were enlarged three times to cope with the increasing trade. Both the partners are thoroughly practical and understand the business of heel making. Before WWI all kinds of men’s, youths’ and boys’ heels were produced either with top pieces or without.

During the War they concentrated on the manufacture of heels for the British and Allied Armies. Having a large and modern factory and all the requisite machinery, they were very successful and served a wide area.

Extract from a Military Tribunal in May 1918 W. Campion, Grade 2 and W. Ashford Grade 1, principals at the firm of Ashford and Campion, heel manufacturers, were given until July 31st.

In 1922 the factory was sold to John White. After a brief closure, the company was started again at Westfield Terrace, Higham Ferrers in 1924, and Mr W F Campion, son of William, joined the company. In the early 1930s Mr Ashford left the company.

In 1934 the firm became a Private Limitied Company, and William's younger son, Mr J R Campion joined the firm.

In the 1940s still trading as Ashford & Campion, they also opened a 'cut sole department' in a small factory in Sartoris Road, previously the joinery works of Swannell & Turlington.

Mr Ashford became a Government Official during WWII. William Campion retired at the end of the war; his sons bought the company from him in 1946.

After the war an average of 60,000 pair of heels were produced by the company each week, which supplied shoe factories all over Britain and exported to Ireland and Scandinavia; mens, youths and boys heels remaining the firm's specialisation. The company continued the sole production at the factory in Sartoris Road, Rushden. The soles were sent to the Higham Ferrers factory, where all-in-one sole and heels were produced. Two main heel types were made at Westfields Terrace - the leather and composite board heels, built up in layers and plastic heels, made by the firm's four large injection moulders. About 80 people were employed in the 1970's, between the two factories, with Mr J R Campion as Company Chairman, his brother Mr W E Campion having retired in 1977.