Church & Co to double factory size

British footwear company Church & Co, which is owned by Prada, has purchased land adjacent to its Northampton factory to double its size.

The footwear firm has acquired a 3.5 acre site, a former First Bus Depot and 1.25 acres of land owned by the Homes and Communities Agency adjacent to its St James factory, for an undisclosed amount, according to Drapers.

The two new plots of land will allow the 110,000 square foot factory to add a 130,000 square foot extension to double the manufacturing plant, meaning that it will increase its capacity from 250,000 to 300,000 pairs of shoes per year.

The company is now reportedly submitting a planning application to develop the extension, which is likely to create around 150 new manufacturing roles. Construction is expected to start later this year.