Loake 1880
Loake is a family-owned English shoemaker founded in 1880 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, and Loake 1880 is its premium range. The company makes Goodyear-welted men's shoes and has held a Royal Warrant since 2007.
| Founded | 1880 |
|---|---|
| Founders | John, Thomas and William Loake |
| Headquarters | Kettering, Northamptonshire |
| Royal Warrant | Since 2007 |
| London store | Jermyn Street, since 2011 |
| Website | loake.com |
What is Loake 1880?
Loake 1880 is the premium line of Loake Shoemakers, a family-owned, privately held company based in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The firm is one of the traditional English makers of Goodyear-welted men's shoes, and its 1880 range takes its name from the year the business began.
History
The company was founded in 1880 by brothers John, Thomas and William Loake, who started in an outbuilding at Thomas's house in Kettering. The Wood Street factory in Kettering dates from 1894 and remains a production site. In 2007 Loake received a Royal Warrant for supplying men's footwear to Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2011 it opened its first standalone store on Jermyn Street in London.
Products and positioning
- Handmade Goodyear-welted men's shoes
- The premium Loake 1880 range
- Classic English shoemaking from Kettering
Since 1997 part of the upper stitching has been carried out through a joint venture in India, with welting and finishing in Kettering.
Distribution
Loake sells through its own stores, its website and a wide network of independent and department store stockists.
Why it matters
Loake is a reference point for Northamptonshire shoemaking: a family business that has kept its heritage while adapting production and retail to a global market.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Loake shoes made?
Loake is based in Kettering, Northamptonshire, where its Wood Street factory has operated since 1894.
Who founded Loake?
Loake was founded in 1880 by brothers John, Thomas and William Loake.