Shoemakers showcase skills with new global festival

A new festival celebrating the craft of making shoes will attract visitors from around the world, organisers hope.

Shoetown will be "a landmark celebration of Northampton's internationally renowned shoemaking heritage," said West Northamptonshire Council, which is supporting the initiative.

One of the town's shoemakers, Crown Northampton, was partly inspired by similar footwear events in New York and Chicago.

Its owner Chris Woodford said: "Shoemaking is in my bones, and almost everyone in Northamptonshire knows someone who has worked in the trade or been involved with it."

He said Shoetown 2027 should be "run by the factories and led by the industry" as a celebration of the trade's past and future.

"We have a real diamond here. Let's shine a light on it," he said.

"We want Shoetown to happen every year and get bigger each time, so Northampton becomes a destination for footwear lovers from around the world," Woodford added.

Northamptonshire residents, community and cultural groups and businesses are being encouraged to help shape the festival.

Other local shoe companies attended an event organised with the council's support, including Tricker's, Crockett & Jones, Edward Green, John Lobb, Sanders and Springline.

They were joined by tourism and heritage partners to hear plans for the festival, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

The council said the event would "recognise Northampton as the historic home of British shoemaking" and create "new opportunities for culture, tourism, education and business".

It said international interest was already stirring.

"Organisers anticipate the festival could attract visitors from countries including Japan, the United States and Europe," it said.

Cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure Kamala Guliyeva said: "Shoemaking is a large part of what makes Northamptonshire unique and brings large-scale civic pride to all of our residents and businesses.

"West Northants is an area of entrepreneurialism, skills, crafters and specialist makers.

"We're incredibly excited about the journey ahead and grateful to the many partners who are already helping bring this vision to life."

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