Ives Footwear Claimed

Ives Footwear, now in its sixth generation, is one of England's oldest family shoe businesses.

In 1700s the Ives family were curriers in Cratfield, near Halesworth, Suffolk. In 1864 Walter Ives established his curriers business and started manufacturing boots for the wholesale trade, whilst his brother Charles was making boots and shoes for direct sale.

The factory invested in new machinery and by 1913 was producing 400 pairs of shoes a week. The factory closed in 1925 as the family developed into the shoe trade.

Today Ives Footwear trades from Woodbridge and remains a family affair with brother and sister David and Fay, who have 70 years of service, taking over the business from their late father, John.