In a world where heritage often comes second to convenience, and where craftsmanship is often forsaken for cost cutting, staying true to your roots takes conviction. Here at Tricker’s, we’ve been doing things the right way since 1829, and that includes making every single pair of our shoes and boots right here in Northampton, from start to finish.
Believe it or not, we’re now one of only a handful of shoemakers in Northampton that can still say that.
Our St Michael’s Road factory has been our home since 1904. Inside, the craft is alive and well. Every pair is cut, closed, lasted, stitched and finished under one roof. They’re not assembled from parts made elsewhere, but built from the ground up by skilled hands with decades of experience. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
As Managing Director Martin Mason puts it: “Of course, we could outsource parts of the process and cut costs. But then it wouldn’t be Tricker’s. Being made in England, and specifically in Northampton, is part of who we are. The heritage of this town is inseparable from our own story. It matters to us, and it matters to our customers.”
A Commitment Beyond Tradition
Staying local means more than keeping an old tradition going. It’s about responsibility. By keeping production in-house, we can maintain the highest standards of quality, minimise waste, and support local skills and jobs. We train our own craftspeople, source our materials with care, and work with local suppliers who share our values. There are no shortcuts, just honest work done properly.
Every pair of Tricker’s shoes and boots are fully stitched and Goodyear welted, built using time-honoured techniques that have stood the test of time. And because they’re made to be repaired as well as worn, they stay with you, growing better, not older.
Still Owned by the Founding Family
Many shoemakers have come and gone, or changed hands entirely. But Tricker’s is still family-owned, and we in fact still have members of the Tricker’s family working for the business to this day. That continuity means something. It’s allowed us to keep our independence, protect our standards, and stay true to the values we were built on nearly two centuries ago.
"There’s a real sense of responsibility that comes with being a family business,” says Martin. “It’s not just about keeping the lights on. It’s about looking after a legacy - not just for the people who came before us, but for those who’ll come after. That’s why we make every decision with care."
The result is footwear that people trust, cherish and value, not just for the way it looks, but for how (and indeed, where) it’s made. We believe in doing things the right way, not the easy way, and we’ll continue to do it right here in Northampton. Tricker’s simply wouldn’t be Tricker’s anywhere else.
