Citing the continuing softness in its key market of the United States, the UK company behind the world-famous Dr Martens air-cushioned footwear, R. Griggs Group Limited announced on Friday (July 19) that it is to close its Wellingborough factory in Northamptonshire.

The company said 94 job losses would result from the closure, with an additional 30 being lost from other parts of its Northamptonshire operations. It also said it needed to be ‘more flexible’ in the sourcing of its products, but that it would continue to manufacture from its two large factories in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

Commenting on the closure, William Johnson, Company Secretary, said, "We are taking this action now because we need to reduce our UK manufacturing capacity. Current trading conditions remain difficult but we have a new management team in place and we are implementing a market driven strategy and conducting a global review of our operations to ensure that the unique Dr Martens brand remains strong in the global marketplace. This has already shown that we needed to reduce our manufacturing capacity in the UK. We regret very much the loss of jobs resulting from this intended factory closure but we will be providing our staff with assistance to help them find alternative employment."

A spokesman for the R. Griggs Group added that the company had been left " irritated" by reports in the UK press that the closure was the result of production being moved overseas. "It’s not being moved anywhere," he said. "It’s simply that we are having to reduce capacity, in line with current trading conditions."