THE LEDGER: YOUR MASTER SOURCING LIST
For deep-dive journals and photographic studies of UK-made icons, visit The Edit. Here in The Ledger you’ll find our ever-expanding directory of UK makers with details on their origins, products and more.
These are short-form entries - distilled intelligence on heritage, provenance and why these brands deserve a place in your collection. As our field research continues, we’ll produce full photographic reviews in The Edit.
GRENSON - Northamptonshire, England
The Heritage: Founded in 1866, Grenson was one of the first registered footwear brands in the UK. They maintain a factory in Northamptonshire for their 'G One' and bespoke lines (other collections are manufactured overseas).
The Verdict: Traditional welted footwear. Their UK-made lines adhere strictly to the Goodyear welted construction method, ensuring the soles can be repeatedly replaced over the lifespan of the leather upper.
Core Products: Goodyear welted shoes and boots.
FOOTPRINT TOOLS - Sheffield, England
The Heritage: Founded in 1875 by Thomas R. Ellin, this brand is a cornerstone of Sheffield's industrial identity, remaining in the same owning family since 1948.
The Verdict: Industrial survival at its finest. In a market flooded with cheap imports, Footprint remains one of the few places where you can still find a professional-grade chisel forged and finished on UK soil.
Core Products: Professional building tools including cold chisels, line pins, bolsters and the iconic Footprint pipe wrench.
ETTINGER - Walsall, England
The Heritage: Founded by Gerry Ettinger in 1934, they are one of the last remaining luxury leather goods companies still manufacturing in the UK. In 1999, they acquired the historic James Homer factory in Walsall - the traditional heart of the UK’s saddlery trade - to ensure their production remained in the UK. They hold a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III).
The Verdict: While famous for their wallets, it’s the leather itself that matters here. They’re specialists in English Bridle Hide - a leather originally used for equestrian gear that’s incredibly durable and improves with age. Their signature "London Tan" (yellow) interiors are an immediate sign of quality to those in the know.
Core Products: Luxury handmade leather wallets, card cases, travel accessories and bags.
DRAKE’S - Haberdasher Street, London
The Heritage: Founded in 1977 by Michael Drake, the company originally specialised in premium scarves. They eventually expanded into ties and shirts, famously maintaining their own factory in East London to ensure that "English hand-made" quality remained at the core of the brand.
The Verdict: The relaxed elegance specialists. While most heritage brands feel stiff, Drake’s manages to make traditional tailoring feel approachable. Their ties are still hand-rolled in London, making them a verified investment piece for any wardrobe.
Core Products: Handmade ties, pocket squares, shirts, scarves and relaxed tailoring.
CROCKETT and JONES Northampton, England
The Heritage: Founded in 1879, this fifth-generation family business specialises in the highest quality welted footwear, utilizing over 200 separate operations per pair in their Victorian factory.
The Verdict: Professional elegance. Crockett & Jones offers a slightly more refined, sleeker silhouette than many traditional makers, making them the preferred choice for the modern city professional.
Core Products: High-grade Goodyear-welted shoes, boots and leather accessories.
CHURCH’S - Northampton, England
The Heritage: Family-founded in 1873, Church’s helped establish Northampton as the world capital of quality shoemaking. While now owned by the Prada Group, they maintain their historic production facilities in the St. James area of Northampton.
The Verdict: Every pair takes up to eight weeks to manufacture and involves over 250 manual operations. We specifically recommend the Goodyear Welted styles, which allow for the shoes to be stripped and rebuilt multiple times, a hallmark of fine English engineering.
Core Products: High-end Goodyear-welted shoes, boots, and leather accessories.
THE CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL CO. — Cambridge, England
The Heritage: Founded in 2008 at a kitchen table by Julie Deane, The Cambridge Satchel Co. was born from a desire to revive the classic British school bag. What started as a personal vision quickly became a global icon of UK heritage design, with every bag still meticulously handcrafted in their UK workshop.
The Verdict: In an era of disposable fast fashion, Cambridge Satchel champions longevity and traditional craftsmanship. Sourcing ethically produced leather - a by-product of the food industry - their makers create structured, timeless bags designed to map your life’s experiences through a beautifully developed patina. A modern heritage staple.
Core Products: Classic leather satchels, batchels, backpacks, tote bags and small leather accessories.
Full Review in The Edit: Read it Here.
CROOTS ENGLAND - Malton, England
The Heritage: Founded by John and Margaret Smith in the 1970s, Croots began when the couple simply couldn't find a sports bag that met their rigorous standards—so they made one themselves. For over five decades, this family-run business has been hand-crafting luxury leather and canvas goods in the picturesque market town of Malton, North Yorkshire.
The Verdict: Croots represents the pinnacle of classic English sporting style. By insisting on natural, vegetable-dyed leather and the finest grade cotton canvas, their makers produce bags that effortlessly bridge the gap between rugged country durability and refined city elegance. An enduring investment for the discerning traveller or sportsman.
Core Products: Luxury leather and canvas luggage, cartridge bags, gun slips and city briefcases.
Full Review in The Edit: Read it Here.