With increasingly financial pressures everywhere you look, it is no surprise to learn that UK footwear manufacturing is one of the things that has been greatly affected. However, there is one brand who are still determinedly holding onto their British quality and that's Van Dal. Despite producing just 15% of their shoes, they retain their pride of British manufacturing, a unique quality that is hard to find anywhere else.

The great change in UK manufacturing is strikingly clear when you look at Van Dal who produced a massive 600,000 pairs of shoes in the 1990's and now produce just 1,400 a week. Equally, the number of staff employed at their Norwich factory has dramatically decreased from 300 in the 1990s to just 80 today.

However, whilst many have uprooted all of their manufacturing to foreign climes, Van Dal have remained determined to hold on to some of their British qualities, seeing the importance of the 'Made in Britain' attributes of the brand. They have also suggested that the gap between UK manufacture and China is on the decrease, giving them the confidence to talk of plans to bring back the 'Made in Britain' qualities of the brand.

Managing director of Van Dal, Tony Linford, spoke about the brands 'Made in Britain' attributes, had this to say to Out on a Limb:

“The whole idea about Made in England and handmade is becoming more and more important in the minds of consumers and that trend is really growing. This whole idea of environment and organic is making a comeback. Cost pressure is still enormous – but that gap is narrowing all the time and I think now is the time we have to capitalise on that.

“It's certainly happening in other areas, but the unknown quantity is how quickly will consumers recognise and pay the premium for Made in England footwear.

“It's not in our industry yet but I think its going to come and we would be very supportive of that happening.”

The reported gap in manufacturing markets between the UK and China/India is about £5 per pair of shoes, which could add £20 onto each pair of shoes that the consumers are buying. Linford recognises that it is a great ask to have such a large leap in price for customers and retailers, particularly during the difficult times many are feeling at present.

“I don't have a magic wand but we have to figure out how to square that circle for our retailers that are already facing high rents and increasing pricing demand from customers.

“The starting point has got to be that the consumer is prepared to do it and we are keen to support that education process as to the work we do here. We are in a position to be a catalyst – we have to do something to protect the British part of our industry as we have buying functions and design going out of the country all the time.”

However, Van Dal, which is part of the Florida Group, is fiercely proud in its heritage, remaining within the Goodman family, with Simon Goodman the current chairman, offering his views on the company. Taking over from his father in 1984, Simon has been head of the brand during some of the most difficult times, witnessing the changes in which they had little control:

“We don't want to see the skills dying out in the UK industry. It's all well and good going to over seas manufacturers but we have to say we can do it ourselves. I love it in the factory – it's been my life for a long time.

“It's been terribly sad watching the demise of skills in the UK but now there is becoming a kudos for the Made In Britain label and people are realising that China is not the be all and end all.

“I remember the people who worked here through the years, I remember how it was in the 50s when you'd hear the screams of the equipment on the concrete floor and I remember you had to walk the entire length of the factory to get to the loos – and when you were in there you could talk to the woman next door.

“My first memory being taken by my father in to the factory which was at the top of a hill and he let me ride that bike down the hill, gaining speed as I went. I love it here – it's my DNA.”