On 9th September 2025, Fashion-Enter Ltd Leicester and the Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) convened a high-level industry meeting bringing together manufacturers, innovators, and key stakeholders to discuss new opportunities for UK garment manufacturing — particularly within government procurement contracts for PPE and military uniforms.
The event drew a wide cross-section of Leicester’s textile and garment sector, showcasing the region’s resilience, innovation, and renewed potential after years of industry challenges. Taking place at a pivotal moment for British manufacturing, the meeting served as a rallying point for local businesses to share progress, voice concerns, and chart a forward-looking agenda for the future.
A special thanks goes to Marianne, journalist for Channel 4’s Dispatches, who attended to gain first-hand insight into the realities and resurgence of Leicester’s manufacturing community. Her participation helped shine a light on the positive developments too often absent from mainstream coverage.
Innovation on Home Soil
Attendees shared tangible examples of how cutting-edge technologies are transforming local production — from digital pattern cutting and print-on-demand systems to lean manufacturing models that reduce waste and improve efficiency. Leicester’s factories are proving that innovation is thriving in the UK, not overseas.
With freight costs, shipping delays, and global instability eroding the advantages of offshore production, the case for on-shoring has never been stronger. The cost gap between producing abroad and producing in Leicester is narrowing fast — especially in a city with deep-rooted textile expertise and an existing manufacturing infrastructure ready to scale.
Success Stories from Leicester’s Frontline
- Jerseytex Ltd showcased how fast-track fabric delivery is giving UK production a clear competitive edge.
- Spring Shades Ltd revealed details of its multi-million-pound investment in a newly revitalised unit — one previously approved by Marks & Spencer and the NHS during the COVID-19 response.
- Sunny P. (Meesha Group) shared his achievements in building a lean, print-on-demand service now supplying brands of all sizes.
- Snahal Patel delivered a compelling message on the need for government support and ethical buying practices, urging brands to replace uncertain commitments with loyalty and transparency in their supply chains.
Other manufacturers, including Avinci and Innovative Clothing, raised concerns about audit costs being unfairly passed onto small factories — asking the critical question: “If we pass the audits, where is the guaranteed work?”
A Call to Action
As Parliament returns from recess, Fashion-Enter Ltd Leicester and ATMF will continue to campaign for vital procurement contracts — including PPE and military uniform production — to be brought back to the UK. These contracts not only ensure supply chain security, but also reinforce ethical employment, local economic growth, and national sustainability goals.
The meeting concluded with a united challenge to major retailers and policymakers alike:
If the UK has the capability, capacity, and compliance — why aren’t you manufacturing here?
To turn this growing momentum into lasting transformation, the group identified several key strategies requiring collaboration between industry, government, and brands — a collective effort to rebuild trust, create fairer partnerships, and ensure that “Made in Leicester” once again stands for quality, integrity, and innovation.