We had a wonderful time talking to the British consumer at the recent Countryfile Live show at Blenheim Palace earlier this month.
We were stationed in prime position in the Great British Crafts marquee, alongside talented folk producing glassware, soaps, ceramics, wood-turning, wildlife art, candles and other such handmade items. There were hundreds of thousands of visitors to the show - and even more dogs!
We begged, borrowed and plundered Leather UK members stock and hosted an impressive array of leather and leather goods from all over the country. The stand was busy and provoked some interest, we could have sold the sheepskins, hair on hides, reindeer skin and armchair a hundred times over... Our handmade key ring activity, made with surplus British leather, proved extremely popular - people couldn’t believe that they could personalise them and that they were free!
Whilst the show was interesting, it demonstrated to us that there is a long way to go with educating the British public about what leather is, what we make in this country and why leather is better than a plastic alternative. Hopefully our new animations, ongoing work with partner organisations and the work of new initiatives such as that by metcha.com will enable the promotion of leather as a natural, sustainable and beautiful material.
