We understand that for various reasons manufacturers are bringing back production to UK based factories. Articles emanating from Marks and Spencer, Philip Green (Arcadia Group) and many others have testified to thisd welcome news. Over the past few years many UK clothing factories had to close their doors when orders were sent to East Europe, North Africa, China, Vietnam and other regions in the far East. Now we are led to believe that as a result of increased costs of labour, logistical problems, problems with suppliers abroad, work is returning to the UK and we think that is wonderful news.
However, things have changed here too. There are very many units still working here, smaller studios that have been doing wonderful work in difficult conditions. many designers have established themselves locally, nationally and internationally and they are doing wonderful work with their loyal staff. True, the days of the large factories producing long and extensive runs of garments have largely gone away and I doubt if we will see their like return, but it can only be good news for the industry as a whole if more units are reinstated and more work is given to those existing units.
Time will tell if there will be a much needed renasissance of British industry in the clothing sector. Let’s hope that it really happens and that more jobs are created and the graduates of the many colleges who have been struggling to find jobs in the sector do find work placements more readily.
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