Taking on Nike – Midlands duo develop rival shoe for NHS workers

A new purposely-designed shoe for NHS workers is set to hit the market and aims to take on US Giants Nike.

The SHNU+ has been developed by Lichfield resident Tony Mills to offer an affordable and accepted style of footwear to rival Nike’s design which hit the UK last year.

Mills said he read about the US footwear giant’s trainer shoe, which retails for £100, having issues with the strict NHS Trust uniform policy, so took on the challenge to produce a shoe that meets all dress code and clinical standards.

Partnering with Birmingham shoe designer Dann Forester, Mills has succeeded in producing the SHNu+, an all-black unisex shoe that will cost less than £50 a pair.

To mark the launch of the SHNU+, he is giving away the first 100 pairs, with a £25 discount voucher for those who register but miss out on a free pair.

The SHNu+ is primarily targeted at nurses, who walk an average four miles a day, but will also appeal to porters, domestics and healthcare workers.

Mills said: “I read about the Nike shoe not meeting the appropriate standards so did some research and found that all NHS Trusts have a common criteria for work shoes so I saw the need for a universally acceptable shoe and set about producing one that would meet the criteria, be affordable and comfortable.

“Given the distances nurses walk they are going to need three or four pairs of shoes a year and this adds up, so my aim was to keep the cost below £50 per pair, which I have.”

Forrester said: “I benchmarked existing products currently being used, conducted consumer research into their likes and dislikes on the current products and found there was a real need for more stylish options, that didn’t sacrifice comfort after many hours of use.

“Consumers explained they struggled to find a product that addressed all of their needs so the challenge was to produce a shoe that was functional, comfortable, met hospital uniform policies and was stylish. In addition, they had to be easy-on and easy-off, able to be wiped clean and withstand spills, have rubber soles with traction and be comfy.

“This was a fresh challenge that I have happily embraced and very confident the new design can assist our NHS frontline workers.”