Why “Make It British” Matters More Than Ever in Leatherwork
At Tanner Bates, our workshop in South Devon reflects many of the values championed by the movement: traceable materials, traditional methods, small-batch production and a genuine commitment to making things properly. Here’s why “Make It British” truly matters in leatherwork, for makers, for customers, and for the future of the craft.
1. Because British Leatherwork Is Built on Genuine Craft, Not Mass Production
Every cut, stitch and buckle is placed by a craftsperson, not a machine.
2. Because UK Leather Has Traceability You Can Trust
At Tanner Bates, that means sourcing full-grain leather from trusted British and Italian tanneries, including oak bark tanned hide from J & FJ Baker & Co., Britain’s last remaining traditional oak bark tannery, in Devon.
This is leather made the slow way, naturally, responsibly, and with heritage techniques that simply don’t exist at industrial scale.
When you buy UK-made, you support shorter supply chains, verifiable sourcing, and materials chosen for longevity, not cost-cutting.
3. Because Small UK Workshops Keep Heritage Skills Alive
And they are practiced in small, independent UK workshops, not factories overseas.
By supporting “Make It British” makers, customers help protect the techniques that define traditional leathercraft:
edge bevelling
burnishing
saddle stitching by hand
cutting each individual strap from full-grain hide
4. Shout-Out: The Work Make It British Is Doing
British factories, workshops and makers
Ethical manufacturing
Sustainable alternatives to fast fashion
Guidance for brands wanting to source UK production
Success stories and interviews with small workshops
They’ve built a community that champions the value of making locally and responsibly, giving visibility to companies like ours, and helping consumers understand what “Made in Britain” truly means.
5. Because British-Made Means Honest Materials
British leatherwork is refreshingly transparent:
When you buy from a UK maker, you see the leather’s natural grain, its markings, its character, because nothing is hidden.
6. Because UK Makers Support Each Other
Celebrating other UK makers helps all of us:
it keeps consumers aware of the value of British craft
it strengthens the network of small workshops
it encourages businesses to collaborate, not compete
it ensures the next generation can see a viable career in craft
7. Because Buying British Supports Sustainable Values
They don’t over-produce, over-stock, or waste material.
And because the leather supply chain is shorter and more transparent, environmental impact is reduced compared to global shipping and mass production.
Choosing a UK-made leather belt or bag means choosing:
fewer miles
better traceability
repairability instead of replacement
a longer product lifespan
8. Because British Leather Goods Are Gifts With Heart
It represents a connection, to the maker, to the materials, to the tradition behind it.
“Make It British” Isn’t a Trend, It’s a Return to What Matters
It means valuing the work of small workshops, the quiet skill of artisans, and the heritage of UK tanning and leathercraft.
At Tanner Bates, we’re proud to be part of that story, to make belts, bags and accessories slowly, properly, and with the kind of care that lasts a lifetime.
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