Barker

Arthur Barker began in the early days personally making hand sewn boots and shoes, he then opened a small factory in Station Road and in 1905 is three sons joined him. Arthurs eldest son Charles left to become a leather importer. Ernest and Arthur junior worked on with their father during World War I, fulfilling contracts for workboots.

After World War II, Barker Shoes expanded consideraly in Earls Barton with a new factory in Station Road.  In 1956, the fourth generation joined the business and following in te footsteps of his predecessors, William (Albert’s son), became a respected shoe makes and shoe designer until his untimely death in 1996.

An impressive modern factory was purpose built in 1986 to allow Barker to continue its shoemaking tradition and is where each pair of Barker Goodyear welted shoes are still made to this day.