Church's
 | |
| Company type | Private limited company[1] |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shoemaking |
| Founded | 1873 |
| Founder | Thomas Church |
| Headquarters | Northampton,England |
| Products | Footwearandaccessories |
| Owner | Prada(since 1999) |
| Website | church-footwear |
Church & Co Limited,brandedChurch's,is a luxuryfootwearmanufacturer that was founded in 1873 by Thomas Church inNorthampton,England.[2]In 1999 the company was bought by Italian luxury fashion housePrada.
History
[edit]Between the two world wars, Church's became actively involved in the development of the footwear industry in general. In 1919, theBritish Boot, Shoe and Allied Trades Research Associationwas created with Church's as a founder-member. As a result of this partnership, the Northampton Technical College was established in 1925. This went on to become theUniversity of Northamptonin 2005.[citation needed]
Thefamily businesswas taken over byPradain 1999, in a US$170 million deal,[3] and has since expanded its outlets overseas.[2]In 2014 the company employed 650 people. The same year, Church's took over adjacent premises in St James Road, formerly a tram and later a bus depot, in anticipation of further expansion which was expected to create up to 140 more jobs.[4]
Some have criticised Prada's management of Church's, citing a shift towards a fashion company moving away from traditional designs and workmanship resulting in gradual decrease of quality.[5]
In 2016, the Company appointed a new CEO. Despite the openings of new luxury boutiques and the uplift of retail price, Church & Co reported losses and reduced the workforce in its plant in Northampton.[6]
Locations
[edit]Its main installations are located in theSt Jamesarea ofNorthampton,with an estimated production capacity of 5,000 pairs per week, 70% of which are exported all over the world. Besides products sold to resellers and individual customers, the company hasretailstores in Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and UK.
Notable customers
[edit]British Prime MinisterTony Blairhad a "lucky pair" of Church's black 310brogues,which he wore to every session ofPrime Minister's Questionsfor ten years.[7][8]
In popular culture
[edit]DuringPierce Brosnan's tenure asJames Bond,various selections of dress shoes from the Church's range were used in production.Lindy Hemming,who was the costume designer, explained the choice of Church's shoes as having the appropriate weight to complement the silhouette of the tailoredBrionisuits she had commissioned for Bond.[9]
References
[edit]- ^"Company information".Companies House.Retrieved28 December2020.
- ^ab"Church's history".Church & Co Limited.Archived fromthe originalon 8 April 2014.Retrieved18 August2014.
- ^"Prada in $170 Million Deal For Church, the Shoemaker".The New York Times.Retrieved24 September2020.
- ^"Church's To Take Over Old Bus Depot".Heart Radio.Retrieved16 August2014.
- ^FitzPatrick, Justin."The downfall of Church's Shoes".TheShoeSnob.
- ^Church's sale's drop to record low18 September 2022.
- ^White, Michael (23 June 2007)."Brogue Male".The Guardian.Retrieved28 December2011.
- ^Blair, Tony (2010).A Journey.Random House. pp.110.
- ^"James Bond's shoes auction"Northampton Chronicle4 November 2007
External links
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