Look into Lancashire's footwear history

‘There was also the social side of the industry...we even had a beauty contest! It was more than making shoes, it was a community.’

Whalley-based LANX is hosting an event on the evening of February 15^th 2024, with historian Peter Dunn exploring the history of footwear manufacturing in Rossendale.

LANX founder Marco Vaghetti explains: ‘We’re excited to welcome people to the LANX HQ in Whalley for a unique opportunity to listen to Peter’s personal recollections and his research into Lancashire’s fascinating shoemaking heritage.

‘In the 1950s Rossendale had its own independent union and even had a footwear college where people could go to learn footwear technology, pattern cutting and design. At the industry’s height, a single Rossendale factory produced 72,000 pairs of slippers per week.

‘We’re thrilled that Peter is coming to share his experiences, and that of his family, in this thriving industrial community.

‘LANX is proud to be an independent footwear brand based in the heart of Lancashire and I feel it’s important to shine a light on the industry’s rich heritage here. We’d love to see more footwear manufacturing return to Lancashire, and we’re looking forward to hearing Peter share his memories of the work, the people, and the products that built Rossendale’s reputation in the 1950s.’

Peter Dunn says: ‘Like my father and mother before me, I was part of this community and with the passage of time the world got smaller and we saw the industry decline and disappear. The footwear industry is part of my heritage and I spent 18 months researching its history and talking to people that were part of that history. Today I am happy to share this heritage and hope future generations can see how important the footwear industry was to the people of Rossendale.’

Tickets are £8 including a complimentary drink on arrival. All proceeds will go to Bacup Blokes Breakfast Club; a cause that Peter supports at the ABD Community Centre in Bacup.

5:30pm until 8pm | 15^th February | Unit 29, Mitton Rd Business Park, BB7 9YE

Visit lanxshoes.com for tickets, or email any questions to hello@lanxshoes.com