A couple of weeks ago we were contacted by a member of the public who has discovered a haul of leather treasure from the 1990's.
Until recently, the leather was stored in an understairs cupboard of the old shoe factory of T Whitmore & Co, (shoe manufacturers from 1872 until its closure in 1994) at Hilltop Works, Earl Shilton, Leics, known to only use the finest British leather.
With the local shoe industry in decline, other factories were either being demolished or converted into residential properties, but Hilltop Works was kept by its owner and still remains untouched, having had rooms merely partitioned and rented out.
The leather has remained in situ since closure in 1994. When the building was sold last year, the cupboard of leather was discovered but was due to be thrown out!
With no light pollution and no damp, the leather looks like new even after 25 years. All are part rolls and pieces but each of them different colours, textures, types and thicknesses between 0.7mm to 1.8 mm, with tags dating to 1989 that describe it as nubuck, waxy/oily, suede, patent and perforated, so far totalling 200 square metres.
After 25 years or more in the dark surely this leather deserves to finally be cherished and loved for years to come.
If you'd like to find out more please email info@leatheruk.org and we'll put you in touch!
