Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Went to look for a pair of shoes: all ranging between £40 and £60, all made in China, India, Turkey, some even in Italy. The first three countries all have labour at very cheap prices when compared to British wages in shoe factories (if there are any left in Britain). Even a pair of Clark's shoes were made in India.
Walk out, buying nothing, march to shoe-zone, find a pair of shoes £12, all done in five minutes, miliatry fashion, British shoes, British prices!

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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
are you sure they were made in the united kingdom alexander?
i thought it was only the hand made ones that were still made here.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Howard, a good question, however it does not say where they are made. I do know that those made in Asia offered elsewhere in Dover (for fairness I supply no name) are not better quality (according to my personal view), and it seems to me that someone along the line in Britain is making massive profits on shoes produced at ver cheap labour prices abroad. The shoes sold at between 40 and 60 pounds a pair might as well be produced in Britain, and not in India, China, Turkey, Brasil!
I consider it unfair to sack British workers in our Country's factories and then import the stuff at a much cheraper cost, and still reap a massive retail profit! This is ripping off and sacking the British working class to increas personal gains!
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
I find a certain irony in the fact that Bata Shoes - formerly known as The British Bata Shoe Company - are the current sponsor of the Bangladesh Test Cricket team. Ho hum - just goes to prove that the age of British industrial might is well and truly dead and buried.
True friends stab you in the front.
You're about 30 years too late with that argument for the shoe industry Alexander. I now buy my shoes from Church's as they are made in England, but I pay a hefty premium for a quality shoe, £130+ a pair. Not everyone can or will want to pay those prices evn thouugh the shoe will last for about 10 years or more, making it cheaper in the long run.
You also ignore the power of trades unions who in the second half of the last century fought a so-called class war and forced through the roof the wages of the manual workers, thereby causing businesses to either modernise, automate, outsource or go bust. The motor industry chose to go bust it seems.
I am not entirely blaming the trades unions because clearly the employers did a very poor job of getting the reality of business message across, and to be honest, they still don't do this very well.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
you are right about church';s shoes sid, they work out good value in the long run.
samuel windsor too.
well worth paying the extra.
i know of a company that imported uppers from italy and and the bottom half from another company in italy, had a factory in burnley that stuck the two parts together, then labelled them "made in england".
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Yes Andy! And not only, but even Clarks are produced in India. What a disgrace!
However, I did find soap produced in the UK: Cuticura soap, it costs only 30 pence more a bar than Pears soap, which, although it vaunts a 200 year British history, is produced in India. Cuticura soap can be found in the savers shop somewhere opposite Boots, I forget the proper name, the shop that sells all those soap and detersive and toiletry products. I used it this morning, has a great effect, no strange smell either, is definitely superior quality, worth trying!
Guest 695- Registered: 30 Mar 2010
- Posts: 426
Not all Church's shoes are made in England, some are made in Italy. Since being taken over by Prada Church's cannot really be considered a British company. You'll find it difficult to fault their quality.
Jeffery West's are made in Northampton, one of few to still be doing so.
As for Samuel Windsor shoes - having seen the finishing of their RRP £99 Sale Price £35 - I think you're better off going to Shoe Zone.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
didn't know that about prada tony.
i have not had any problems with samuel windsor shoes, i buy them direct from the manufacturer.
my only extravagance.
OOH i love shoes the prettier the better the highest heel also is a must!

Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Oh my that is also my fetish cann't resist looking at shoes

they are a must on my list.
Guest 695- Registered: 30 Mar 2010
- Posts: 426
One of mine too! Trouble is I don't just look

Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
The shoes are in fact from Shoe Zone, Tony. They are very comfortble, and cost just over 12 pounds!
Melissa, you do know that heels that are too high can be damaging to the feet and back!
Yes Alexander but since I took over the Deputy Mayors wardrobe I am having to fit into some very high heels at the weekend and I daren't say what else I have to fit in to!!

Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Well in that case, David, may-be you had better be careful when walking a mile, because there might be a risk of tripping in them. Did it occure to you that shoes ought to fit properly when they belong to someone else, as they might not be your size!

Obviously just some of my poor humour!
I wear size ten!

Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
Somebody mention shoes? Ah my downfall shoes and bags

I didn't know that about Prada either Tony, interesting.
Like you Melissa I do love sky scraper heels, I know they are not the most comfortable and wearing them every day isn't a good idea but...........

But Jeane sometimes it has to be done and a nice pair of killer heels always goes well on a saturday nite with a dress.

Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
Indeed, there are many times I have suffered because a pair of shoes look nice when I'm going out (as my feet will testify!)

It's a female thing!
A girl can NEVER have too many shoes, too many handbags, too many diamonds or too much chocolate!!
Size 10 Alexander!! Go to mothercare! I have size 13 or 14 so two cows have to give up their hides - but it helps when walking on water!
