Following one of your previous videos I spent half a day in and around Northampton visiting 4 factory shops during my last visit to UK. These were Crockett and Jones, Church's, Loake's and Grenson's. I was very lucky as I got myself the Isley boots which was the main reason for the shoe shop tour. They were factory seconds with some minor scratches and 50% off retail price. After taking the usual care of them at home there were no marks left. Church's had additional -20% from the origins -50% from retail but as these shoes cost over 1000 GDP a pair they were out of reach for me even after these massive discounts. From Loake's store I left with discontinued pair of brown half brogues and dark brown Elsworth Chelsey boots, less then half a price both. Grenson's I really didn't find anything to buy just because I really don't need any more shoes or boots however they had the widest choice and cheapest prices of all 4 stores. It was a lovely day and I had to do quite some driving around Northampton but it was really like being in a shoe heaven. This trip comes highly recommended to anybody who cares about shoe world.
I am going to Northampton in September and plan a visitor to Trickers and Cheaneys which I believe is not quite in Northampton. After your great video, really looking forward to it.
After watching this, and wanting a pair of dress boots, I was ready to take a trip to Northampton, only to find there is now a Cheaney outlet in Leeds (which has a factory shop attached), I would definitely recommend it alongside the C&J and Trickers
Ash, could you do a video on holiday attire, or resort wear? How to look suave when on holiday? I’m looking at my old flip flops and I need this advice! Thank you!
Structured linen or high twist worsted trousers. Medium waist. Flat front. Sand, cream, or light grey. For shorts, flat front, no cargo pockets. Cotton or structured linen. Hem should fall just above the knee. Any color. If you’re buying off the peg, look Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Luca Faloni, or Drakes. Structured linen or light cotton button up shirts. Color really depends on your skin tone. But pale blue and pale pink work for most. Off the peg, look Sunspel or Turnbull & Asser. For shoes, loafers or drivers (anything medium to dark brown, or even navy blue) or suede sneakers (light grey, blue, or off white). For loafers, Gucci Jordaan or George Cleverley. For drivers, Ferragamo. For sneakers, look at George Cleverley or Justin Fitzpatrick. If you’re wearing trousers, socks are ok if they are color matched to your trousers. Otherwise no-show socks. Look at mes chaussettes rouges’ website.
I've just had a look at the depressingly long list of now defunct shoe companies in Northampton. So companies like Tricker's form part of the national heritage, let's hope they are able to keep afloat.
Most towns in the UK are in "economic decline" ... the "high street" comprised of boarded up buildings, betting shops, charity shops, Poundland, etc, the odd estate agent, takeaway and cafe. then you have these big chain franchises like Greggs, Spoons, Costa all moving in. It's changed a lot from the days of butchers, fruit and veg shops, and the "traditional" high street shops like Woolworths, WH Smith and the electrical shops like Dixons, Rumbelows, GAME, and Blockbuster video. Even a lot of banks are closing. Together with online shopping, the growth of supermarkets and out of town leisure complexes - such as riverside at Northampton, or Rushden Lakes, has changed the way people like to shop.
Really good summary! I was at C&J's last week also. The ladies there are always very helpful. Depending on the size (I am 7.5) they have lots more around the back they will be happy to bring into the shop for you to try out. You only see the right foot shoe on display so it's possible the defect is on the left foot, so you only see it once you have asked for it to try on. However, in my experience the blemishes and scuffs are so minor.
Those Malton’s you bought are gorgeous. I have Stow’s in the same c-shade with dainties soles and I love them. As regards this video, I love both Trickers and Crockett & Jones. I’ll be planning a visit to Northampton to both factory shops. I’ll also plan to hire a car to Desborough to visit Cheaney. I own more Cheaney’s than any other English shoe brand (2 Trickers, 2 C&J, 4 Cheaney’s, 2 Barker’s, 1 Church’s). I own shoes from Carlos Santos, Carmina, and TLB Mallorca (1 each) as well, but I do feel it’s safe to say that Northampton is the Mecca of fine shoemaking. Thanks for another great video.
Interesting! Crockett & Jones seemed to have changed their shop policies a bit, it just used to be walk in on Fridays and Saturdays. Northampton is quite rough indeed, but one can take a bus from the station to the town centre and from there to somewhere close to C&J and Tricker’s. Church’s used to have a fairly simple factory shop, but this has been completely rebuilt and now looks fancy like the one in Bicester Village or London. They have prices to match though, and this is the influence of the Prada takeover. In 2016 I got some really good deals but those days are over, sadly.
Thanks for this excellent and informative glimpse into two of the most highly regarded English shoe factory shops. -Unfortunately, I am unaware of anything like this that exists in southern Ontario, Canada, and I have doubts that much would be available in my shoe size, 12 EEE, even if I made the pilgrimage to Northampton. Importing anything from Britain to Canada has become ridiculously expensive in the last year. -I recently had a telephone conversation with people at the Corgi socks company and they said that they've lost almost 80% of their Canadian business due to shipping costs and import duties. You'd think that, given Canada's status in the Commonwealth of Nations, buying goods from Britain would be easy and cost-effective. (Unfortunately, you'd also be wrong.)
After watching your video last week I took a divert back from Silverstone to visit 4 of the factory stores. Unfortunately, Tricker’s had a sign on the door stating the factory shop was shut for the week and Crockett had the gate locked up and no-one answering the phone. Luckily I did get into Cheaney and Loake factory store and ended up purchasing a pair of Loake Castlegates. I too found the area of the Trickers factory very run down and felt uneasy leaving my car parked around the corner!
Cheers again Ash. Hope to get up there one day. On the Tricker's front - it's the one firm I hadn't tried, I snagged a used pair for just over 50 quid, the Brourton in Marron Antique. Amazingly, most of the life is left in the soles, uppers externally have developed a lovely patina/burnish, some fine cracking in the flexpoints. Interior wise the heel area has had a section of leather set in which is pretty well done. I've tidied up the sole edge and storm welt.... these shoes needed feeding!! They take cream very very well and really are a heavy duty country shoe that wouldn't look out of place on a posh shoot. I think you've picked the right type of their offerings, it's the type of shoe/boot they are known for. This is one pair I may well send back to Trickers for a resole and refurbish, they do that including a complete new lining for 200 quid, which is reasonable even compared to independent proper cobblers, then I'll have a new shoe with lovely aged uppers. I do hope Tricker's keep going, they've recently been given the new Royal Warrant, hopefully this will carry enough weight.
Review some grant Stone boots my friend. They still remain a killer deal at 400 USD and are absolutely top notch in their construction and materials. It'll make for some good variety outside of British shoes .
Apart from your military and Police service, were you not also in the Diplomatic Corps?, as, judging from your description of Northampton, I think you should have been. "Economic decline"... a nice way of saying 'run down' .. great review as always Ash. Thank you. 😂👍🏴
Great video, but I'd have to factor in the cost of a trans-Atlantic plane ticket. With Allen Edmonds in steep decline on quality, we have a dearth of quality shoes in the US. Everything is sneakers (trainers). These are even being pushed as good and appropriate when wearing a suit. Sad.
Starting from the simple stuff, another great video. I do envy you and the fact that you can make such a trip to Northampton easily. Unfortunately, many of these brands do not exist in other countries, therefore, one does not even have the chance to buy any of these shoes, not even at retail price, let alone at a discount. It is one of my many "dreams" to visit Northampton and spend a few days there, having enough cash on the hip to enrich my shoe collection exponentially! Which takes me to my question. If you go all the way there, pay for petrol, a hotel and surely for a couple of meals and a few pints of beer at the local pub, then it would make a lot more sense to buy as many shoes as possible. Buying just one pair just does not make any sense - financially. Of course, you get the experience, which is surely important and pleasant by all means. I wonder (half joking - half serious), is it 4 pairs per day? If you go there the next day, are you entitled to another 4 pairs? 🤣🤔 Does the same rule apply to all or most factory stores, or just at Crocket & Jones? Is it cash only, or can you pay by card?
nice shirt :) looks like my peter christian tattersall checked one...i bought 3 - one yellow, green, and blue.. i'd love to visit a factory shop...guessing most blemishes etc can be sorted with a bit of shoe cream etc.. 12:55 that tan boot on the bottom left row (behind the stow) is the ethan monkey boot i have, but mine is in red funchal .. :)
Great video Ash enjoyed that. I don't think its really worth your while going unless you live locally though. Very good chance they're not going to have what you're looking for in your size and what a wasted journey if you're travelling a few hundred miles as i would be. Lots of those shoes end up on ebay anyway and a lot cheaper in a lot of cases. I picked up a pair of crockett & Jones Norwich for 200 on ebay last week as well as a pair of cheaney brackley for the same price both brand new and probably slight seconds although i cant find fault.
Greetings Ash, I wait for these Northampton visit videos 😄 Well made and quality Shoes are my weakness Love your work and on this Chap Nirvana journey with you from the very start.
Hi Ash, I almost went to the C&J factory shop last week but found one review stating it was only open Friday afternoon & Saturday morning, is this still the case or does it now follow the factory times? Btw, I bumped into at the Savile Row Concours looking forward to seeing a video on your new suit if you decided to go ahead with the purchase.
Any factories for Burberry or Barbour? Went to Europe/Uk 6yrs ago. Had to make sure i get a Burberry heritage trench coat. Didnt have Honey/Tan but got a versatile black. Cost me 900aud in the outlet. Retail in Australia back then was 3.5-4k 😬
Burberry is a high-fashion brand now. The only heritage elements they still sell is the trench coats and the scarves. Barbour is somewhat more heritage, but not far behind. Only the coats are heritage items. Boots are made in Indonesia, and knitware in Vietnam. The rest is a hodgepodge.
Sadly like most towns today, it has declined. Mainly the effects of immigration, and liberal policing regarding the street drinking etc. However it does have a rich history of boot and shoe making, and pray it continues. When I was a boy, you heard of people who have worked in the industry all their lives. I’ve worked in a few about 40 odd years ago (as a contractor electrician) and in some rooms, you would think you were back in the 1930’s with the surroundings. Very nostalgic in a way, old boys with their aprons on, and greased back hair clicking away on their machines. Happy times in a way. The end product is a high class ‘real’ shoe /boot that will last years. You won’t regret buying a pair.
