ATMF is delighted to announce that we have successfully secured funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in partnership with Leicester City Council.
This support will allow the Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation to strengthen Leicester’s supply chain, drive new business opportunities, and give our members a stronger collective voice with retail brands and public procurement contracts.
Our Plans Include:
- Mapping support needs of member organisations and project participants, establishing specialist masterclass topics.
- Monthly networking meetings and/or masterclasses for Leicester-based fashion and textile businesses, designed to improve business performance.
- Workshops and masterclasses for individuals seeking to start new fashion and textile enterprises in Leicester.
- Updating our live factory database and building a comprehensive directory of local manufacturers, featured on Leicester Leading, Leicester Made, and the ATMF website.
- Business support & supply chain development, offering advice, guidance and signposting to help local fashion and textile businesses access both B2B and B2C markets.
- Quarterly sample sales, providing opportunities for designers to source locally and for manufacturers to generate additional income.
- Annual trade shows (starting 2025–26), with a two-day format: one day for trade buyers and one day for consumers.
This initiative is proudly supported by Fashion-Enter Ltd / FashionCapital, and will play a crucial role in positioning Leicester as a true centre of excellence for textile and garment manufacturing.
If you are a fashion business in Leicester—or considering starting one—we encourage you to get in touch and be part of this exciting new chapter.
Together, let’s put Leicester at the heart of UK manufacturing once again.