Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Shoe and boot making (handsewn)

Section one - About you

Name

Are you willing for your name to appear on the website as a reviewer?

Yes please
No thanks

What is your reason for contacting us?

What is your interest or experience in this craft?

Do you have any suitable images or photos to support your entry?

No I don't
Yes, please contact me about them

Please give more details of your interest or experience of this craft and any organisations, guilds or associations that you are representing.

Section two - Description of the craft

Are you commenting on an existing craft?

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

You are suggesting a new craft that is not already featured on the Red List

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

Craft category

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please give a definition of the craft in one or two sentences.

Where in the world is the craft historically associated?

Please identify country, region, county or town

Where in the UK is the craft currently practised?

Please identify country, region, county or town

When was the craft first practised in the UK?

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

How endangered would you say this craft is?

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Currently Viable (are in a healthy state and skills are being passed to the next generation)
Endangered (skills can be passed on but there are serious concerns about their ongoing viability)
Critically Endangered (there is serious risk that skills won't be passed on)
Extinct ( ‘extirpated’ or ‘locally extinct’ in the UK)

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

Number of professional makers (main income)

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

Number of professional makers (part-time or side line to main income)

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

Number of trainees

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

Number of serious amateur makers

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

Number of UK leisure makers and learners

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:

Training issues: The cost of training an apprentice is prohibitive (cost of wages, national insurance, trainer’s time, holidays, materials etc.)
Training issues: There are very few technical colleges which train ‘makers’ as opposed to ‘designers’ and there is very little financial support for those wanting to learn one-to-one at the bench or with a hands-on approach.
Training issues: Very few younger people are presented with a creative career as a viable option and there are few training opportunities and early career opportunities available
Market issues: There is a market for bespoke handmade shoes but the role of the UK in this market has diminished in recent years.
Business issues: Small businesses and independent makers face a range of business challenges including effective marketing, overheads, cashflow, visibility, finding customers etc.
Cost of raw materials: A significant issue for the craft is the high cost of good quality raw materials available in the UK.
Shortage of good quality tools: Shoe making and leatherworking tools are available but they are often not of a suitable quality for professional and high end makers.
External factors: These include rising inflation, alongside higher material and production costs; the removal of VAT refunds for tourists; customs delays and higher import/export duties; additionally there is growing ethical scrutiny of supply chains putting pressure on transparency and responsible sourcing.
Lack of understanding of the craft due to online misinformation: Shoes and shoe making are at risk from misinformation spread through social media and YouTube. This misinformation often misrepresents the extensive training needed to master the craft; inaccurately depicts traditional techniques and processes and misuses ‘handmade’ and ‘handsewn’. They can also perpetuate negative perceptions of leather leading to customer confusion and undermining trust in authentic craftsmanship.

Training and recruitment issues

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

Tick for yes