Mark Jeffery and Guy West, founders of Jeffery West and John Saunders, CEO of the British Footwear Association joined John Miller, clerk to the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, and Julie King, subject leader for fashion and textiles at the university, for the event. The new facility, at the university’s Avenue Campus, will provide students extra space to produce their footwear creations alongside existing studios. The opening of the new workshop coincided with the launch of the standalone BA Footwear and Accessories programme.

The university has strong connections with local shoe firms from the footwear industry such as Dr Martens, Church & Co, and Crockett & Jones supporting the students with internships and work placements.

John 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.”

Dr Julie King complemented: “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”.