Footwear thesis earns student doctorate
05/11/2008
A student at the university of Leicester, David Holmes, has successfully completed a PhD after making the history of the footwear industry in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire the subject of his thesis.
Dr Holmes retired from the position of world trade director of the British United Shoe Machinery Company seven years ago and began his studies at the university’s Centre for English Local History.
The title of his thesis is ‘Development of the East Midlands Boot and Shoe Industry in a National Perspective 1815-1914’.
The former Head of the International School of Footwear at Leicester College, Roger Beeby, has told footwearbiz.com that the thesis is "a fascinating read and is meticulously researched and referenced". He added: "It will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in the progress of the industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries."
It is available for reference in the university Library.
Roger Beeby went on to explain that the footwear industry remains important in the East Midlands of England. Many famous companies are still producing high-grade shoes in Northamptonshire, while Leicestershire is a major centre for the distribution, retailing and importing of footwear, dealing with about half of the UK’s shoe sales. At the same time, the International School of Footwear and the Shoe Design School at nearby Demontfort University continue to attract students from all over the world.
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