SMALL Business Minister Jane Hunt is pictured on a tour of the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies at the University of Northampton’s Waterside campus.
The minister praised the university for its commitment to supporting sustainable local and national leather industries, as well as admiring the fantastic designs of its fashion and footwear students.
She and Northampton South MP Andrew Lewer received a tour of the ICLT’s facilities from John Sinclair, deputy dean of the School of Science and Technology, which included the purpose-built leather innovation tannery, testing and research labs and teaching spaces.
Mrs Hunt also had a hands-on experience of using treatment drums on her own sample of leather.
The visit to the University of Northampton rounded off a series of visits to local leather industries with which the university works closely, including Tricker’s in Northampton and International Dance Shoes Ltd in Milton Keynes.
Mr Sinclair said: “The University of Northampton’s global reputation as a leader in leather education and research was significantly boosted with the introduction of the ICLT at Waterside, and it’s encouraging to speak with Mrs Hunt on how our facilities continue to enhance our unique teaching, training and research – all of which are crucial in continuing to support the global leather industry.
“Here at the University of Northampton, we are extremely fortunate to have the facilities within the ICLT as well as the local and national industry connections we do, all within the birthplace of the UK’s leather shoemaking industry.”
