Barker Shoes: a factory visit

Barker are one of England's surviving Northamptonshire shoe manufacturers and operate from a successful, vibrant factory making and supplying high quality shoes to the world. I was able to visit this summer to watch shoes being made using techniques that blend the traditional with the ultra-modern.

Almost ready to go out - shoes awaiting final checks at the Barker factory

One of the jobs to be done was to overhaul my favourite pair of Barker brogues which I'd brought with me. It was fascinating to see them stripped down and rebuilt as good as new; in fact better, because the nicely worn-in uppers complemented the brand new soles and heels so well that I felt that the shoes were more comfortable than before. It's certainly worth the £100 or so it costs to have your favourite shoes refurbished by the same highly skilled craftsmen and women who built them.

My worn brogues waiting stripping down

Stripping off heels and soles before rebuilding the shoe as new

The refurbished shoes - better than new

I've had the pleasure of visiting many factories in the UK. All buzz with pride, skill and, in the case of all shoe factories, the aromas of leather, polish and modern adhesives. The Barker factory is no exception. As I went round, seeing the leather store, the processes of cutting and shaping the leather uppers, applying the uppers to the last and attaching the soles and heels and the final polishing and checks, I was struck by the immense pride and skill being shown by all.

A glance at a pair of shoes doesn't reveal the large number of component parts to a shoe and the complexity of putting them all together in an elegant, comfortable and durable shape. The skills of the workers, many acquired over decades at Barker, are disguised by the dexterity and apparent ease with which they do their jobs, but trying one of the tasks myself made me realise the depth of the knowledge and skill that goes into each pair of shoes.

The images below illustrate the process from beginning to end of creating a traditional English Goodyear-welted shoe.

Polishing the completed shoe - which is then laced, checked and packed for distribution

Like other British shoe manufacturers, Barker make some of their shoes and components abroad, but they remain proud of the shoes they make at their modern factory in Earls Barton. To find out more about Barker, their range of footwear and their shoe refurbishment service, click here.