Northampton opens new footwear workshop

The University of Northampton has opened a new footwear workshop that provides its footwear students with additional space for their design work, to coincide with the launch of its standalone BA (Hons) Footwear and Accessories programme, which provides students with the creative skills and technical knowledge to footwear design.

Opened by John Miller, clerk to the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers last month, the workshop means that budding shoe designers at Northampton now have a greater opportunity to produce their footwear creations in a brand-new high quality workshop, which has been produced to complement the universities existing studios and range of workshops already at Avenue Campus.

Commenting on the opening, Miller, said: “It’s a very exciting time for the University of Northampton and our company has been associated with the University ever since its footwear course commenced and we have been offering scholarships and bursaries since then.

“We’ve always felt there’s great opportunity for Northampton as the centre of the shoe industry and the University has the ability to build on the pedigree of the footwear industry that’s based here – Northampton is where it all happens and that’s a great advantage for its students.”

University of Northampton adds new footwear workshop

Northamptonshire’s shoe and boot making heritage dates back almost 900 years as almost every town and village in the county has had a successful specific footwear industry, for example Long Buckby was famous for its long boots and Wollaston for its work boots. Over 25 manufacturers are still operating within Northamptonshire, with big names, such as Dr Martens, Church & Co, and Crockett & Jones.

Dr Julie King, subject leader for fashion and textiles at the University of Northampton, added: “We are all delighted to have such an incredible resource now available to our footwear and accessories students. It will help them become more technically proficient than ever before and builds on the amazing footwear heritage of Northampton.”