Kinky Boots Show-Case – From Barton to Broadway!

W J BROOKES of EARLS BARTON –  1888 “KOZAK TO KINKY 2018”

                       The Story behind The Story of Kinky Boots

Waders for fisherman at sea, high boots for Cossacks (Kozak) to survive Russian winters, boots for soldiers in the trenches of The Great War, fashion brogues for men and women,  another Government commission  for WWII.  This is just the beginning of the story of W J Brookes, a family-run boot and shoe factory in Earls Barton, Northants.

With the war over life moved on. The teddy boy was born, with winkle-pickers, crepe soled “brothel  creepers,”  mods and rockers, Chelsea boots for a new young band – The Beatles, The Mud, The Jam, Elton John, The Slade,  Adam Ant,  David Essex.  Times were good – the commissions rolled in and the factory rocked.

In the 1990s, a strong pound, competition from abroad and changing fashions meant closure was imminent.   Managing Director, Steve Pateman, had spent years working at the family business of W J Brookes and he now searched for new customers and new markets.  A phone call from Sue (originally known as Anthony) from “Lacies” in Folkstone changed their fortunes.  Ladies’ boots and shoes were ordered but designed to be reinforced with steel to carry the weight of men for a different market. New machines were ordered and the production began.  Steve’s brands, Divine, Provider and Lady Provider had saved the day.  Those exciting foot-loose days were not to last and the factory sadly closed in 2000.

The BBC Documentary “Trouble at the Top” featured Steve’s tale and coined those now infamous words “Kinky Boots”.  The film, set in Northampton, was shot mainly at Trickers Shoe Factory.  The musical has been a resounding hit on Broadway, the West End and is now on tour in the UK.

The twists and turns of the story of W J Brookes has come home to Earls Barton with an exhibition of Steve’s boots and shoes  on display at Jeyes, from heavy clumping war-boots to those brilliant red thigh-high boots

Steve now combines his life as a full-time firefighter with being an entertaining speaker recounting his tale of Kinky Boots with humour and panache.

Kinky Boots Exhibition now open at Jeyes of Earls Barton, Free Entry

Open Monday to Friday 10:00am–4:00pm, Saturday 9::00am- 5:00pm.