When considering the geographical history of craft and design in the UK, for most people Leicestershire is probably not at the top of the list of places that come to mind. While Staffordshire is synonymous with pottery, Sheffield is known for its steel products, Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter is world-renowned and Nottingham is famed for its historic lace industry, the East Midlands city of Leicester often falls under the radar when it comes to its own legacy of manufacture. These days, its more likely to be linked to football, cheese and crisps than it is to great design. However, dig a little deeper and it runs deep in the veins of this city, from high street biggies like Dunelm, which started as a stall in Leicester Market in 1979, and Next, whose headquarters are in Leicester, or indeed the city's history of hosiery, textiles and shoemaking, dating from the years of the Industrial Revolution.
As in other cities with an industrial history, its effects can still be strongly felt in Leicester today. For example, many factories based in the city still produce clothing and hosiery to this day, and as Paul O'Leary, founder of Leicestershire-based deVOL Kitchens explains, ‘De Montfort and Loughborough University have adopted the most prestigious design courses from their polytechnic and art college ancestors. From Contour Fashion, renowned as the best lingerie course in the world, to Industrial Design, Britain’s hardest product design course to get into, it’s no wonder that Leicestershire is such a hotbed for design-led businesses.’ We're shining a light on some of the brilliant independent designers, makers and shops keeping Leicestershire's creativity alive, discovering what it is that they love about their hometown, and their recommended places to visit if you head there.
Soane Britain
‘There was no element of choice!’ exclaims Soane's founder, Lulu Lytle, on why she set up her company's artisanal rattan workshop in Leicester: ‘it could only be in one village because that is where the weavers, on whom Soane depended to keep the skills alive, lived! The history of Soane’s own rattan workshop is woven in with both (historic rattan firms) Angraves and Dryad, which have always been based in the village of Thurmaston where there have been rattan and willow weavers for over 150 years.’ Dryad was founded in 1907, and Leicester was a hotspot of wicker weaving due to the 'historic associations of willow harvesting in the areas around the River Soar and Trent' Lulu adds.
Dryad closed in 1956, however, with its archive subsequently being absorbed by Angraves. By the 21st century the historic craft of rattan weaving in the UK looked to be severely in danger of disappearing forever, before Lulu decided to establish the Soane workshop in 2011 just after Angraves went into administration the previous year - it remains the only one left in the whole country. ‘The revival of an almost extinct British industry reflects everything we believe in’, she adds. The influence of the old rattan workshops have left their mark on Soane's own designs, with Lulu citing the Dryad archive as being very influential in terms of both design and technique, ‘thanks to the brilliant craftsmen re-employed by Soane who had been making the Dryad pieces for decades’. Alongside the rattan workshop, Soane also now have a patination workshop and an upholstery workshop in Leicestershire, strengthening the company's ties to the city and providing its people with employment and training in these specialised crafts.
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Matt Gregory Wines
On the rolling green hills of the Leicestershire countryside, Matt Gregory grows and produces natural wine on his 500 acre vineyard. His wines are fermented by wild indigenous yeasts and are totally unfiltered, and he feels that the character of his produce is inextricably linked to the land in which the grapes are grown. ‘Wine is a mercurial beast, so difficult to define sometimes’ Matt says. ‘The grapes I grow are so expressive and definitely have a "signature" that is quite different to grapes grown elsewhere in England. Part of that must be down to the amazing geology of the region, but also to my farming practices. I have on occasion sold some grapes to other winemakers, and that signature is still there in the wines they have made. When I make them it seems to be amplified. It's dreadfully difficult to pin it down though!’
Matt loves best the landscape of the area in which he lives and works, how it is ‘quintessentially English, with rolling farmland, copses and hedgerows. Lanes, footpaths and byways with some tremendous views.’ Elsewhere in the county, he highly recommends Launde Farm Foods for ‘truly outstanding’ lamb that is ‘bred and butched on the farm’, Round Corner Brewing for ‘delicious modern beer that doesn't cause hop fatigue’, and the Nevill Holt Festival, ‘An amazing festival with something for everyone.’
deVOL Kitchens
Founded in 1989 by Paul O'Leary and Philip deVries, two graduates of Loughborough University, deVOL began as a furniture making and antique renovation business, subsequently finding their niche in bespoke luxury kitchens which are entirely designed and handmade in Leicestershire. Countless kitchens on the pages of House & Garden have been crafted by deVOL. Since 2012 their headquarters have been the glorious Cotes Mill, a 16th century water mill near Loughborough. The bucolic setting, complete with peacocks wandering the gardens, ‘may be the most unusual kitchen showroom ever’, suggests Paul. ‘It was a privilege to turn this abandoned white elephant into a destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s also lovely for our staff, who sit by the river or in our secret garden for their lunch, and recharge and ruminate on the design challenge of their day.’
deVOL have now expanded across the pond, with showrooms in Los Angeles and New York, yet the heart of the business remains rooted in the East Midlands. After a trip to Cotes Mill, Paul recommends a visit to Staunton Harold in north west Leicestershire, to find ‘classic architecture, elegant landscapes, quirky traders and a cafe in the courtyard with a folk band, or some morris dancing to boot.’ The Griffin Inn in Swithland, he says, is the county's best pub.
Harriman & Co.
Named as one of our top 50 independent shops around the UK last year, Harriman & Co., founded by Drew Harriman, is based in a red brick old textile warehouse just around the corner from the Leicester City football stadium, connecting the design past of the city with its present. Drew has found that because ‘geographically Leicester is very central to the Midlands and the wider region, it’s great to welcome people from near and far.’ A hidden gem in an unassuming part of the city, the cavernous space has been populated with an exceptionally curated edit of homeware and furniture, from characterful vintage and antique pieces, to handcrafted accessories and utilitarian homeware. Drew also hosts a range of creative events in the space, from bookbinding workshops to wine tastings, having collaborated with Matt Gregory on the latter. Like Matt, Drew particularly loves the countryside around Leicestershire, which he says is ‘is stunning and varied across the county so you can always head out and find the most beautiful walks throughout the seasons’.
He also recommends heading to fellow design-led boutiques in the area like Curious Magpie in Mountsorrel, ‘a newly opened space curated perfectly by the owner Jules who has a great eye for retro homeware & furniture’, and Bagel & Griff in the town of Market Harborough, ‘a beautiful interiors store that’s always full of fabulous homeware’. For great food and drink around the city, Drew's go-tos include John's House, Leicestershire's only Michelin-starred restaurant, Bread & Honey, ‘for their coffee, sandwiches, cakes, and bakes’, and David North Patisserie & Deli in Rothley - ‘a family run business that’s been established for many years, the place to go for the best birthday cakes, deli goods and a great wine edit’.
More recommendations for independent design, art and culture around Leicestershire:
Curve Theatre - Leicester's premier destination for theatre playing host to touring musicals, plays and ballets as well as their own in-house community productions.
Phoenix Cinema - the best place for watching films in the city, Phoenix is an independent cinema in Leicester's Cultural Quarter, showing arthouse releases, classics and the latest blockbusters.
Attenborough Arts Centre - for contemporary art exhibitions and craft fairs.
Broughtons Lighting & Ironmongery - An Aladdin's cave of quality hardware, light fixtures and fittings, housed in an old Art Deco Cinema. They particularly excel in period lighting and hardware, including wall lanterns, Tiffany lamps and Art Deco pendants.
Anstey Wallpaper Company - an historic wallpaper design and manufacturing company, with a history spanning over 100 years, using both traditional and modern printing techniques.
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery - known for it's extensive collection of German Expressionist works, alongside temporary exhibitions, a superb collection of Picasso ceramics and a gallery on the history of Leicester.
Hambleton Hall Hotel - ‘It is always the greatest treat to visit
Hambleton, not least because of its wonderful owners Stefa and Tim Hart. It is a very
special place.’
LCB Depot - home to over 150 creative busineeses, LCB is a creative hub with a year-round programme of events, talks and workshops, and on-site coffee shop.
Two Queens - artist-run and community-owned gallery and studios.
Leicester Print Workshop - exhibitions, events and facilities and courses for fine art printmaking in the heart of the city.
Stoneywell, National Trust - ‘designed in 1899 by Ernest Gimson, a leading figure of the Arts and Crafts movement. It reflects Gimson’s belief in craftsmanship, natural materials, and harmony with the landscape.’
Bradgate Park - ‘for ancient parkland beauty and the historic ruins… and the story of Lady Jane Grey.’
House of Wabi Sabi - ‘Ria is super talented making beautiful one off originals in the most stunning fabrics.’
Deloise - ‘Darcy makes the most gorgeous stoneware mugs and pots.’
Louisa Raven - ‘glassblower making stunning contemporary glassware.’
Michelle Holmes - ‘an original textile artist that I discovered in a Leicester art gallery several years ago.’
Paul James Knitwear - ‘beautiful knitwear made in Leicester since 1976.’
&New Furniture - ‘contemporary furniture designed and manufactured in Leicester.’
The Leicestershire Flower Farm - ‘Charlotte grows the most beautiful blooms in the most natural way on a gorgeous pocket of land in the Leicestershire Wolds.’
Stonehurst Farm Shop - ‘family run farm shop with amazing seasonal produce and freshly baked bread made on site by the team behind John’s House restaurant.’
Leicester Market - ‘the market has some great vendors and it’s lovely to get to know the people that you’re buying from and responding to the seasonal products they sell.’
Public, Loughborough - ‘favourite location of this brand that now have several coffee shops around the region.’
Rustic Kitchen & Deli, Mountsorrel - ‘one of the best independent cafés in Leicestershire, soon to reopen following renovation works.’
Wilfred Pinsent Wine Bar, Mountsorrel - ‘amazing selection of local and continental beer & wine to drink in or takeaway.’
ORSO Leicester - ‘for house roasted organic coffee.’
