11 new jobs at Leicester Royal outfitter after £100,000 investment
Local children’s footwear manufacturer Michael Bolton and Sons, based in Oadby and Wigston, it set to invest over £100,000 in new equipment and technology in a move which will reshore some of the its manufacturing services and create 11 jobs.
The news comes after the firm revealed it has landed a £38,000 grant from the N Brown Textiles Growth Programme.
Founded in 1952, Michael Bolton and Sons designs and manufactures children’s shoes for the luxury retail market from its Leicester base. Demand for the business’ products spiked in 2014 when Prince George was seen wearing the brand. Sales have increased again after Princess Charlotte fashioned the new line in photos released by the royal family earlier this year.
The £100,000 investment will bring business back to the UK. The investment, which creates 10 new jobs and one new apprenticeship, is supported by a £38,000 grant from the N Brown Textiles Growth Programme.
Set up by the Manchester Growth Company for the Combined Authority in Greater Manchester and the Alliance Project, The N Brown Textiles Growth Programme is delivered across the UK and funded by the Regional Growth Fund. To date, it has supported 11 companies In Leicestershire, creating and safeguarding 215 jobs in the local area. With over £1m of government funding since 2014, Leicestershire textile companies have invested more than £5m.
The N Brown Textiles Growth Programme has and is working closely with Leicester Council and the LLEP who have a positive approach to helping this key industry to the Leicester economy.
Lorna Fitzsimons, director, N Brown Textiles Growth Programme, said: “Although early days after the Brexit vote, the textile industry is still showing the confidence to invest which is a healthy indicator that the sector is still growing. This is helped, in part, by government funding, and a strategy to invest in this industry which is so important to Leicester.”
Paul Bolton, managing director at Michael Bolton & Sons, said: “Over the last 24 months sales have increased by over 40%, however due to our limited production capacity we have been forced to extend our delivery times and turn some business away.
With the investment we have secured through the Textiles Growth Programme we are now installing new machinery which will enable the company to supply both existing and new customers.
New staff have been recruited with further recruitment planned throughout the expansion programme.
The new plant and staff will also enable the company to launch a new first walker range of shoes that had been put on hold due to the limited capacity.
The company is now facing very exciting times ahead and we are extremely grateful for the invaluable assistance provided by Adrian, our advisor at the Textiles Growth Programme, in enabling us to implement this expansion.”
