The Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) was delighted to welcome a leading UK retailer to its headquarters at Phoenix House, Leicester, on 21 July 2026, as part of a new initiative designed to strengthen relationships between UK retailers and Leicester’s garment and textile manufacturing sector.
The visit showcased the depth and breadth of manufacturing expertise available within Leicester, providing an opportunity for retailers to meet local manufacturers, discover their capabilities and explore opportunities to build more agile and resilient UK supply chains.
Ten Leicester-based manufacturers and brands presented their latest collections to the retailer’s buying and sourcing teams, demonstrating a diverse product offering across woven garments, jerseywear, knitwear and specialist apparel.
The feedback from the retailer was extremely positive, with representatives commenting that the breadth of product and manufacturing capability on display exceeded their expectations.
The event also received enthusiastic feedback from participating manufacturers.
Charanjit Biring, Director of TS Knitwear UK, said:
“It was encouraging to see a retailer engaging with its home-grown suppliers and exploring what we have to offer. As the industry continues to focus on becoming more ethical and sustainable, it makes sense to manage inventory more carefully and embrace local sourcing. A more agile, UK-based supply chain not only reduces waste and transport emissions but also enables faster product development and more responsive inventory management.
Thanks again to the ATMF for supporting UK manufacturing and creating opportunities to strengthen connections between retailers and British manufacturers.”
Farhan Mohmed, Director of G N Euro, commented:
“Thank you so much for arranging the meeting.
I’m pleased to say it went very well. It felt like a really positive conversation with genuine scope for us to work together. They took photographs of a number of our samples and said they’d be in touch regarding prices, so we’ll be ready to turn those around quickly for them.
Thanks again for the invitation and for everything you and the team do through ATMF — it’s very much appreciated, and we’d be glad to be considered for any future opportunities.”
Abubakr (Abz) Khilji, Director of Denovo Apparels Ltd, added:
“Thank you so much to the ATMF team for organising the meeting.
It was a pleasure to meet their team and discuss the products we can manufacture. They were impressed with many of our garment samples and even took photographs, which was incredibly encouraging.
This was a very positive meeting, not just for me but for all the ATMF members who attended. It highlighted the strength and capability of Leicester’s garment manufacturing industry.
We definitely need manufacturing back in Leicester, and meetings like this give us hope for the future. Here’s to creating more opportunities and supporting local manufacturing.”
Sarpreet Singh, Director of Galaxy Knitwear Ltd, said:
“A big thank you again for helping to arrange the meeting. Positive vibes all around for Leicester manufacturers! Let’s keep building momentum and championing UK manufacturing.”
Sunny Patel, Director of Meesha Group, said:
“The meeting arranged by ATMF was a great opportunity to introduce our business to the retailer and share an overview of our capabilities and audit standards. It was a positive discussion, and we look forward to exploring potential opportunities together.”
Jenny Holloway, Chief Executive of Fashion-Enter Ltd and founder of the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF), said:
“The positive feedback from this major retailer reinforces our confidence that Leicester’s garment manufacturing sector is moving in the right direction. We are immensely proud of the factories within our city and the exceptional technical expertise they continue to demonstrate.
There is genuine innovation, flexibility and craftsmanship within Leicester, and we want more retailers and brands to discover what is available on their doorstep. Building stronger UK supply chains benefits everyone by improving speed to market, supporting local jobs and creating a more sustainable fashion industry.
We warmly welcome retailers and brands to visit our manufacturers, meet the businesses behind the products and explore the opportunities available. If you would like to find out more or arrange a visit, please contact us at [email protected].”
The ATMF remains committed to championing UK garment manufacturing and creating meaningful connections between retailers and manufacturers. Events such as this demonstrate the strength of Leicester’s manufacturing community and the growing appetite for collaboration that supports local production, sustainability and long-term industry growth.
