Employees at Lambert Howarth on Burnley Road, Waterfoot, at work on the toe lasting machine in 1976
SHOE making has been one of the core industries in the Rossendale Valley for generations and this great photograph from our archives captures a moment in time.
Taken in 1976 it shows employees at Lambert Howarth based on Burnley Road, Waterfoot, working on the lasting machine which strengthened the toes of boots and shoes being made at the factory.
Lambert Howarth was once Marks and Spencer’s largest shoe supplier but went into receivership in 2007 when the High Street giants announced it was not placing any further orders with the company. As a result half of the 150-strong workforce were made redundant following the announcement.
Lambert Howarth also provided branded footwear for the likes of French Connection.
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