Clarks, long-standing British footwear producer famed for sensible shoes, will shut its last surviving factory in the UK, based in Ilminster, Somerset, in April this year, laying off 90 staff members as it moves the rest of its production abroad. This decision comes as a natural solution to rising production costs in the UK.

Clarks has been outsourcing to countries like India, China and Romania for the past 15 years in an attempt to remain competitive. The move marks an end of an era for British workers many of whom have been involved with the company through generations since Cyrus Clark set up his tanning business in 1825.

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