Alt-Berg are renowned for making handmade touring boots that are more durable than mass-produced items, yet still affordable. With customers that include our armed forces and the police, this Yorkshire-based family business can be considered a true British success story but the journey has not been easy as Senior Bootmaker, and founder of the company, Mike Sheehan, explains.
“In 1969 I went to work for Master Bootmaker William Shepherd at his shoe factory,” says Mike, who, at 71, is as enthusiastic about his craft as ever. “He taught me all about footwear and when he retired I took over his role.
“During the 1970s we employed 320 people and produced 25,000 pairs of shoes a week,” adds Mike, “but two recessions wiped the industry out, and when the factory closed…