Grenson

Grenson is a British footwear brand with a heritage that stretches back to 1866, when William Green began making shoes in the loft above the Corn Merchants in Rushden, Northamptonshire. At that time, shoemaking was carried out by hand in the homes of outworkers, and William Green would personally deliver work to each craftsman on a daily basis. As the business expanded, Grenson moved into its first factory at Green Yard in 1874, becoming one of the first in the world to use the Goodyear Welted method of shoemaking. By 1895, the company had grown enough to build a state-of-the-art factory at the corner of Queen Street and Cromwell Road, which remained their home until 2013. William Green passed away in 1901, leaving the business to his son, CAK Green. In 1913, the company rebranded from William Green and Sons to GRENSON, one of the first trade names ever registered in the UK. Grenson played a significant role in both World Wars, producing thousands of boots and shoes for soldiers. During the Second World War, the factory employed nearly 500 people and developed innovative styles, including a flying boot with a leg that zipped off for easier movement. In the post-war years, Heyden Green, the last member of the Green family involved with the business, visited America and India, bringing back new ideas that revitalised the brand. The company continued to innovate through the decades, launching exotic skin shoes in the 1960s and 70s, before facing challenges from imports in the late 20th century. In 2008, the first Grenson shop opened in Liverpool Street, London, marking a new chapter. Tim Little bought the company in 2010, opening a second store in Hanbury Street and launching an e-commerce platform. Grenson’s reputation grew rapidly, with major retailers like Harrods, Selfridges, and Liberty stocking their products. In 2011, Grenson relaunched its Women’s collection for the first time in 30 years. The brand also launched an apprenticeship scheme in 2012 and moved to a modern, efficient factory in 2013. Grenson:LAB, a customisation programme, began in 2013 with a launch at Liberty. The iconic Triple Welt was introduced in 2014, and Grenson expanded internationally with a store in New York in 2016. Grenson has continued to innovate, launching collections such as the Archive Collection for its 150th anniversary, the Vegan Collection, the Rubberised Collection, and the Tech Pack. Collaborations with designers like Craig Green, Henry Holland, Emilia Wickstead, and Billy Tannery have kept the brand at the forefront of footwear design. Grenson has also worked with friends of the brand, including Jonny Gent and Isaac McHale, and launched initiatives such as Back On The Road and Grenson Social. Grenson’s story is one of heritage, innovation, and a commitment to craftsmanship, continually evolving while staying true to its roots.