Loake
United Kingdom
Loake is a family-owned British shoemaker founded in 1880 in Kettering by brothers John, Thomas and William Loake. It is known for men's Goodyear-welted shoes.
| Founded | 1880 |
|---|---|
| Founders | John, Thomas and William Loake |
| Ownership | Family-owned, privately held |
| Headquarters | Kettering, England |
| Segment | Men's footwear |
| Website | loake.com |
What is Loake?
Loake, often written Loake Shoemakers, is a British maker of men's handmade Goodyear-welted shoes. The company was founded in 1880 by the brothers John, Thomas and William Loake in an outbuilding at Thomas's house in Kettering, Northamptonshire, where it is still headquartered.
Ownership
According to Wikipedia, Loake is family-owned and privately held.
Manufacturing and distribution
Production is rooted in Northamptonshire, the traditional centre of English shoemaking. In 1997 the stitching of uppers moved to a joint venture with an Indian company near Chennai. Loake opened its first standalone store on Jermyn Street in London in 2011, signalling a move into own retail alongside its other sales channels.
- Product: men's Goodyear-welted shoes
- Own retail: first standalone store, Jermyn Street, 2011
- Upper stitching: joint venture near Chennai since 1997
Why it matters
Loake is one of the long-standing family firms of the English shoemaking sector and a reference point for traditional British men's footwear. Its history shows how heritage manufacturers adapted by partnering on production abroad while keeping ownership within the family and expanding into direct retail.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Loake?
Loake is family-owned and privately held, according to Wikipedia.
Where is Loake from?
Loake is from Kettering in Northamptonshire, England, where it was founded in 1880 and is still headquartered.