Goliath Footwear Sold

The Co-operative Group is bringing an end to its involvement in the footwear industry with the sale of Goliath Footwear to a Turkish company. Production at the factory - in West Yorkshire - was halted at the turn of the year when manufacturing was switched to Turkey. The company's sales and distribution operation continued in Heckmondwike, but the CWS has now confirmed that the site will close completely. The Goliath site is expected to close in November. Some assets from the business - including the Goliath brand name - are being sold to Turkish safety footwear manufacturer,Yakupoglu.

At its height, the Heckmondwike factory employed hundreds of people. More than 200 worked at the plant until four years ago, but just 25 now remain. They are the subject of a 30-day consultation process between the Co-operative Group and trade unions.