shoemakers Museum

Opening in September 2025, Shoemakers Museum in Street, Somerset, will showcase the rich history of C. & J. Clark, the iconic footwear brand founded in the village. Housed within The Grange, a Grade II listed building, the museum will provide an engaging experience, exploring Clarks' legacy and its influence on both the local community and the wider world. Greenway Associates is the appointed Cost Consultant on this project.

EXHIBITION & FEATURES

The Shoemakers Museum houses the extensive collection of the Clarks family and their renowned footwear business. A specially designed archive safeguards The Alfred Gillett Trust’s vast holdings, which include more than 100,000 notable shoes, business records, and family documents. Spanning two centuries of shoemaking heritage, this remarkable collection showcases how Clarks transformed the Quaker village of Street into a globally recognised name. Shoemakers Museum is a brand new visitor attraction making these collections available to the public for the first time.

Some features of the Museum will include:

• Street’s Story: The village’s legacy of innovation, from its role in education and social movements to its contributions to industries beyond shoemaking.

• The Art of Shoemaking: Visitors can explore how Clarks' footwear has been crafted over the centuries, from handmade techniques to modern production methods. Interactive displays will offer hands-on experiences, including designing shoes and experimenting with the tools once used by factory workers.

• Shops and Style: This exhibit will trace the evolution of Clarks' retail presence, recreating historic storefronts and showcasing the brand’s international influence, from the UK to global markets such as Jamaica and Japan.

• Unearthing the Past: In addition to its shoemaking heritage, the museum will spotlight Street’s fascinating prehistoric history, featuring a remarkable collection of marine reptile fossils, including ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.