UK footwear industry “still thriving”
15/06/2016
John Saunders, chief executive of industry body the British Footwear Association (BFA), quoted the figures during a speech at the 2016 Cordwainers National Footwear Student of the Year ceremony in London on June 9.
He pointed out that there are currently 145 BFA members, ranging from major global brands such as Clarks, Dr Martens and Pentland, to start-up firms. Of these, 29 companies still manufacture shoes in the UK. BFA members employ a combined total of 10,000 people, 20% of whom work in production.
UK footwear companies had combined revenues of £7.7 billion in 2015, a figure that is projected to rise to £8.9 billion by 2020.
“The industry is smaller than it was 30 years ago, perhaps, but it is competitive and it is thriving,” Mr Saunders said.
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