Support Buy British Day October 2nd

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Made in Britain debate to launch Buy British Day 2015 set for October 3rd

An event to endorse buying British products will be held on October 3rd at London's King's Cross.

This year, partnering with Made In Britain will be Wayne Hemingway’s The Classic Car Boot Sale in Granary Square, London – and central Preston (way north), in a pop-up retail outlet in the middle of the Fishergate shopping centre and on the Preston Train Station concourse.

Cherchbi - one of the British-made brand currently on show at Design Junction, Victoria House, Holborn.

Buy British Day 2015 was kick started earlier this week at ‘The Great British Debate’ hosted by Best of Britainia at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts.  The conversation subtitled ‘Can we make it all here?’ where British brands, manufacturers and industry figures came together and discussed the opportunities, limitations and future of British manufacture and design.

Engaged in a lively debate was a panel of experts, campaigners and commentators including shirt-maker Emma Willis MBE, Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons and E.Tautz (of BBC The Great British Sewing Bee series) , Drapers editorial director Eric Musgrave, Jonathan Jones of Tregothnan Tea, Made In Britain’s John Pearce, managing director of The Manufacturer Nick Hussey, British Chambers of Commerce Adam Marshall and Kate Hills from Make It British. 

With Best of Britannia’s own Antony Wallis as host, the panel’s discussion touched upon:

·         the use of the Union Jack in branding as a mark of excellence, and the esteem with which the flag as a ‘made in Britain’ marker is received; UK brands’ reticence in using it, as negative perceptions can arise from so-called ‘nostalgia branding’ and the assumptions that a product is made in Britain when in fact it has been made elsewhere

·         proximity to market and its associations with growth in industry – with mention of boat building in the UK

·         there is no reason NOT to make everything in the UK, but the progression and growth of smaller British manufacturers are restricted by lack of investment to make it viable; growing British manufacture is a long, slow process, but worth the investment – we just need the investors; predictions that investment in British manufacture will come from abroad

·         the value of media in demonstrating to the consumer the manufacturing process and where and how their product is made: from pattern-cutting to building, the role of storytelling – and how brands need to get better at telling their stories

·         the pro’s and con’s of the GREAT campaign – it achieved astonishingly positive results as a vehicle for promoting British innovation, but small brands got lost in the system

An initiative from Best of Britannia – an annual event and website that showcases more than 200 of the very best British-made brands and products – Buy British Day aims to engage with consumers who care about the provenance of what they’re buying.  See you there!

Best of Britannia highlights wide range of British brands, including products for cycling enthusiasts

Best of Britannia organisers are celebrating the best of British brands and craftsmanship.  The event - which is currently held at the historic Farmiloe Building in Clerkenwell, London - is open to the public and lasts until 3rd October featuring a diverse range of British products made exclusively in the UK. 

Antony Wallis, Creator of Best of Britannia, comments: “It is a very exciting time to be a British designer and manufacturer - the London 2012 Olympics, the Golden Jubilee, and now with the arrival of Prince George, brand Britain is experiencing a major boom.”

With the launch of a new website to coincide with the exhibition, Antony has announced that the event will be expanded to Manchester as well next year.

Best of Britannia brings together a broad range of industries and sectors, including interiors, furniture, lighting, food, drink, clothing, jewellery, accessories, footwear, sports, outdoor recreation and automotives.   

While the iconic Mini is a classic representative of the British brand, cycling has in recent years become one of the nation's favourite sports and its growing popularity as a means of transport is highlighted by the fact that many of the exhibitors’ at Best of Britannia are featuring products related to the bicycle and quality-conscious cyclists.

The 150-year-old Brooks England for one, based in Smethwick, West Midlands, showcases a wide selection of cycling accessories, including leather saddles expertly crafted in their own factory using traditional machinery as well as stylish and functional bags for bicycles.

Carradice of Nelson based in Lancashire uses a selection of materials including waterproof cotton, duck fabric, thick leather and limited edition Harris Tweed for a wide range of bicycle bags, 

These Carradice bags feature cast metal fixings, military grade cotton webbing and leather binding. 

Chapman, a company founded as a manufacturer of fishing and shooting bags, has over the years become well-known for authentically British made shoulder bags, luggage and accessories. 

Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, Chapman's Troutbeck shown above is its original fishing bag which is now designed to carry a laptop as well as fish.  Note also the bright colours on offer in the new collection.

On display at Best of Britannia are the Moulton bicycles which are manufactured in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, and are recognised as superior to conventional cycles due to the combination of space-frame construction, innovative suspension and small wheels with improved handling, ride and performance.

Also on display are new design brand Cycloc - simple storage systems for hanging up bikes and keeping accessories neatly.

 

They look so effortless and at the same time elegant and space-saving.  All products are available on the Cycloc website.

Meanwhile Big Tomato Company features illustrations of bicycles, gears and saddles on their mugs and cutlery holders, all made at their factory in Stroke-on-Trent.