Church’s shoes to step up presence on Northampton Enterprise Zone

Posted on 13 March 2014 · Posted in News

Iconic shoe manufacturer Church’s is expected to submit a planning application for its new factory in May, which will create up to 140 new jobs in Northampton’s Waterside Enterprise Zone.

Apprentices form a significant part of the company’s plans for the new facility. Work on the multi million pound project is expected to start on site by August, with the first phase of the new facility in operation by Christmas 2015.

The borough council has worked closely with the Homes & Communities Agency and private landowners to assemble a 4.5-acre site adjacent to the company’s headquarters in St James.

Stephen Etheridge, Church’s chief executive, said: “This transaction secures Church’s future in St James and provides us with space we need to expand and grow.”

Church’s, which is owned by the Prada Group, already employs 650 people, many of whom are highly-skilled.

Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: “Church’s is an iconic brand and operates on a global stage.

“In recent years the company has expanded its retail arm and now had over of 50 stores across Central and Northern Europe, America, Hong Kong, China Singapore and Japan

“The company is already a major employer in Northampton, preserving skills which originally put Northampton on the map, and it is set to take an even bigger role in the town’s future.”