‘We Hope It’s Not the End’: Firm Behind Prince George’s Baby Shoes Faces Closure
The company known for creating the beloved baby shoes worn by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis is facing the possibility of shutting down. Owner Paul Bolton has voiced concerns over the future of Early Days, revealing that the Leicester-based factory may soon close its doors due to declining customer demand and rising operational costs.
Challenges Confronting the Baby Shoe Company
Paul Bolton highlighted several key issues affecting the long-standing business:
– Declining Customer Demand: Despite previous surges in sales from royal endorsements, the company has seen a downturn in orders, primarily due to challenging market conditions.
– Rising Operational Costs: The substantial increase in energy, materials, and wage costs has severely impacted profitability.
– Minimum Wage Increases: Higher employer National Insurance Contributions have further burdened the business, coinciding with a rise in the tax burden since Labour took power in 2024.
In a heartfelt announcement on LinkedIn, Bolton stated, The decision to wind down the company comes in response to ongoing increases in overheads and the challenging state of both the UK and overseas economies over the past three years. We are exploring interest from various parties and welcome all inquiries.
A Glimpse into Early Days’ Flourishing Past
Founded over 70 years ago by Bolton’s father and uncle, Early Days thrived during its notable upturn after Prince George was spotted wearing its shoes during a trip to Australasia. This exposure led to:
– Increased Sales: The company saw a remarkable surge in orders, with annual turnover doubling as new accounts were established.
– Production Strain: The factory had to go into overtime to meet the overwhelming demand.
However, following their most successful year in 2022, orders began to dwindle. Former retail partners cited a challenging high street environment as a contributing factor.
Current Situation and Future Prospects
The firm has reluctantly raised prices on select models, with budget shoes starting at £12.99 and premium leather versions, the same ones donned by royal siblings, priced at £32 per pair. Once employing over 100 staff and producing more than 10,000 pairs weekly, the workforce has now dwindled to just 10 employees.
Bolton expressed his dismay over the company’s prospects, stating, “We hope it’s not the end, but I’d say it’s 80% likely it is. We have got a lot of inquiries, some hopefully aiming to invest and keep the company going here. However, we suspect that others may want to move it overseas, which we have never wanted to do.”
A Broader Context
The challenges faced by Early Days are reflective of broader issues within the UK manufacturing sector. As businesses continue to navigate soaring costs and declining demand, the stability of traditional craftsmanship is at risk.
In response to the situation, a government spokesperson remarked, “The Budget doubled down on our work to grow the economy and create good jobs, and we are delivering stability, cutting borrowing, and getting inflation down.”
As Early Days stands on the brink, the hope remains that a path can be forged to retain this cherished brand, beloved not only for its royal association but also for its dedication to quality craftsmanship.