A new footwear fitting laboratory has been established at SATRA’s new headquarters at Wyndham Way in Kettering, UK.

For more than 60 years this service was undertaken at the centre’s Rockingham Road site, but the move is part of a major shift of all footwear activities to the new location

Plans are already underway to move all of SATRA’s footwear research and testing services to Wyndham Way and new laboratories should be operational there later this year.

The fitting facility has been designed to meet the growing needs of SATRA’s members. It incorporates a new fitting bench and treadmill for fit and comfort tests, and new equipment for assessing lasts.

The fitting team is also responsible for SATRA’s Comfort Index and is currently evaluating the comfort of more than 50 styles of footwear.

Fitting team leader Alan Weston said, "A well-fitting shoe promotes sales and repeat business so the demand for SATRA to undertake fitting and comfort assessments on members’ footwear has escalated.

"This move to our new site not only presents a more modern image, but we are now located much closer to colleagues working in areas relevant to our services."