There’s nothing we love more than the sound of those three precious words…’Made in England’, so when we discovered that Joseph Cheaney & Sons would be featuring on site we jumped at the chance to find out more about the quintessentially British footwear brand.

Setting the benchmark for impeccably handcrafted shoes, Joseph Cheaney & Sons uses only the finest suedes and leather when creating their exquisite footwear. The very same footwear they have been manufacturing from their Northamptonshire factory since 1886.

From the cutting of leather, through to the stitching and final polishing, Cheaney are proud to be one of the few remaining brands who’s footwear is made entirely in the UK.

Joseph Cheaney & Sons

Eager to find out more about this esteemed brand we sat down with them to talk heritage, history, designer collaborations and more…

Can you explain to us the importance of manufacturing entirely in the UK?

It is the whole essence of our business. The ability to produce shoes and boots fully within the UK allows us to support the local community which has developed and thrived over the last 132 years. The workforce enables us to offer a vast skill base and flexibility rarely available with offshore manufacture.

What characteristics of British heritage can be found in Cheaney footwear? And how do you set your footwear apart from other brands?

From start to finish the product is steeped in heritage with many of the patterns used dating back over half a century. Many of the manufacturing processes remain the same today as they were over a century ago. Albeit with updated machinery and working environments. We offer a wide range of product from heavy outdoor boots through to the most refined classics. All our shoes are 100% manufactured using the finest of components within our UK factory.

Who is the Cheaney customer?

We like to think that Cheaney customers are stylish individuals with discerning taste and an appetite for British manufactured product.

 As a brand that is so steeped in heritage is it sometimes difficult to look to the future?

Looking forward is an essential part of the ongoing development of any business and assessing the current and future business landscape is essential. We are always looking to absorb new thoughts and opportunities to allow us to grow the business on a global basis.

How did the Vivienne Westwood collaboration come about and do you see yourselves collaborating with any other brands in the future?

The Vivienne Westwood opportunity came about a couple of years ago when the design team were looking to find a progressive British manufacturer. Being both British brands the clash in cultures from heritage to original punk was very appealing. Collaborations for a business like ours allow us to present ourselves and our product to a customer who may not know of us. This can be critical in raising awareness and opening up new distribution channels. We are always very selective with the brands which we collaborate and Vivienne Westwood was a perfect fit for us.

And finally, what’s next in the pipeline for Joseph Cheaney & Sons?

As a business, we are keen to continue to grow and raise brand awareness on a global platform. We have succeeded in a small way over the last 9 years since the new ownership. In that time, the pair have managed to develop strong distribution throughout export markets. October will see us open another store at Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross.

We also plan to build further stores over the coming years.

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