More and more people were involved in the industry: in some villages, such as Earls Barton, a large proportion of the village was involved in the shoe trade. This is shown by the census returns of the Victorian Period.

Moses Philip Manfield moved to Northampton from Bristol in 1843. In 1857 Manfield opened a massive warehouse and introduced the singer sewing machine to replace hand sewing of the uppers. At first shoemakers were unhappy. They feared the 'monster warehouse' would become a factory. There was a conflict between the manufacturers and the shoemakers who were worried the factory system would mean their working lives were controlled by someone else and they would have to work set hours. Before the factories, workers worked at home and were paid for each piece. By May 1858 however sewing machines had a permanent role to play in Northamptonshire's shoe industry.

Isaac, Campbell and Co's factory was completed by 1859 and they encouraged all workers to work in the factory rather than from home. Workers had set hours and pay. Their first factory failed and was taken by the Turner Brothers; by 1865 they were producing 100 000 pairs of shoes using steam engines. Mechanisation had arrived!

The shoe trade was so influential, Northampton Town football team is more commonly known as The Cobblers. The shoe trade has continued to be important in the county up to the 20th century, with Doc Martens boots being made in the county. The hit film Kinky Boots shows how the shoe trade adapted to competition from abroad in the 20th century.

Why not visit a local museum and find out more about shoes near you?

Want to know more about the leather industry in Northamptonshire: www.northamptonshireleather.com

See also:
2005: Northamptonshire in film