Sanders
In 1873 brothers William and Thomas Sanders started Sander Bros in a town-centre workshop in Rushden, Northamptonshire, with five craftsmen. William had learned the boot and shoe trade and worked as a clicker in London before coming home in 1871. In 1912 the firm moved to Spencer Road, on the edge of town, with about 70 workers, and Goodyear welting machines sped up the work. In 1924 fire, spotted during a staff garden party, destroyed the factory. The brothers rebuilt with new machinery on an extended site, and a year after the fire William retired, handing over to his sons William, Thomas and Leslie. The fourth and fifth generations of the family run it today, still on Spencer Road.
The shoes
The Sanders shoes here take in a plain Gibson, a buttseam penny loafer, a wingtip brogue Oxford and a monk strap. All are made in Britain at the firm's Spencer Road factory in Rushden.

£250–£399
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£250–£399
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£400+
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£400+
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Where they're made
Rushden, Northamptonshire
Rushden, Northamptonshire. The Sanders boots and shoes shown here are made at the company's own factory on Spencer Road, its home since 1912.
Made in Britain — how we know
Sanders' official website says its footwear has been made in England since 1873, and its heritage page says the company still works from the Spencer Road factory in Rushden it moved to in 1912. We read both in October 2026.
- Maker’s about page
Checked 7 October 2026Sanders & Sanders — official home page ↗ - Maker’s about page
Checked 7 October 2026Heritage — Sanders & Sanders ↗
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