Grenson

Founded in Rushden in the county of Northamptonshire, in the heart of England in 1866 by William Green who had learned his trade helping his mother to handcraft boots at home until 1860 and then in his own house until the founding of Green & Son. William's products soon became renowned for their consistency of craftsmanship and materials; and his 'outworker contract' soon attracted the best craftsmen in the area. William realised that if he was to expand his business, keep his costs under control and remain true to the contract the best option was to build and equip his own factory; 'Greens Yard' was opened in 1874 and was amongst the first to adopt the recently invented Goodyear welt method of construction. In 1895, the company moved to larger premises on the present Queen Street site to accommodate increasing business.