Textiles is a priority growth sector, contributing over £0.5 billion to the local economy, as well as being the second largest textiles employment area in the UK.
Focus investigated the need and benefits the hub could bring to the city’s economy. This involved working with manufacturers and suppliers of technical machinery, and consulting with leading high street retailers and e-tailers, including New Look and Asos, to understand the demand for fast fashion, the opportunity for increased UK production, and how Leicester can be best placed to benefit from this growth. As well as testing demand and establishing a concept brief for a hub, Focus undertook a site options analysis, indicative costs, management and governance options, high level business planning and preparation of a funding strategy.
An advantage of producing apparel in the UK is that retailers can expect a faster turnaround than by using overseas suppliers. This offers significant opportunities to increase textiles manufacturing in the UK, and Leicester plans to be at the heart of this.
