Northern Sole

Year 2022Episode 8829 minNov. 11, 2022
Northern Sole

Cumbria has a long-standing relationship with shoe manufacturing. Roy Bell started his career in the industry as soon as he left school in 1970 at Millers Shoe Factory in Cockermouth. Millers closed its doors in the early 1990s, but by then Roy had already moved to another company. In 1982, New Balance set up a factory in Flimby, a small village just a few miles down the road, and Roy has been there ever since. At that time, the Flimby facility was the only factory owned by the multibillion-dollar American business outside the USA.

The factory, located in a farmer's field, with cattle casually grazing the surrounding area, now employs 275 people to make around 7,500 pairs of trainers every week and is planning a ten per cent increase to its workforce over the next five years. Staff work four days per week on ten-hour shifts. Roy is called a clicker because that's the sound his machine makes when it presses down on a sheet of leather to cut the various components that go into a trainer. To an untrained eye it looks easy enough, but without the skill and experience that Roy has built up over the years, it could go horribly wrong very quickly.

For Roy, the day-to-day process of leather cutting is coming to an end. Balloons and banners strung onto his workstation wish him a happy retirement. Work stops for a brief moment as his team gather round to wish him all the best.

This year, New Balance celebrated 40 years of Cumbrian manufacturing by producing a special set of trainers to commemorate its milestone. The tongue proudly says 'Made In England', and the inside of the box pinpoints Flimby on a UK map. Eighty per cent of what they make in Flimby is exported all over the world, and the anniversary trainers will be no exception.

Northern Sole has aired on Nov. 11, 2022 at 19:30
Previous EpisodeNext Episode

Trailer

We do not have any trailers for this episode

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Love Island
Running

Love Island

On Love Island the Islanders must do their best to flirt, date, couple up in a bid to avoid being ‘dumped' from the Island. With new arrivals, heads may turn, while others will prove their true feelings. From romance and heart-to-hearts, to betrayal, bombshells and broken hearts, there's never a dull moment in the ultimate search for love. More texts, fire pit gatherings and challenges await the lovestruck Islanders, meaning there'll be plenty for them to dish the dirt on in the Beach Hut. Twists and turns will follow every step of the way, with shock recouplings, unexpected breakups and dramatic dumpings.

As the couples attempt to win the hearts of each other – and the public – one couple will ultimately triumph and be crowned Love Island winners

GenreRomance
Naked and Afraid
Running

Naked and Afraid

Each week on Naked and Afraid, a new pair of complete and total strangers - one man and one woman - will find themselves stranded in and, quite literally, exposed to one of the world's most extreme weather environments. This duo will be left high and dry with no food, no water... and no clothes. They must survive on their own for a full 21 days, with nothing but one personal item each and the knowledge that the only prize is their pride and sense of accomplishment.

Bar Rescue
Running

Bar Rescue

Bar Rescue follows Jon Taffer, one of the country's top restaurant and bar consultants, will give failing establishments one last chance to succeed. The show will delve into every business facet of running a bar from creating a profitable drink/food menu to crowd management to music selection to managing disgruntled employees. This marks the first food/beverage-themed show for Spike TV, furthering its effort to expand and broaden its audience.

GenreFood
Casualty
Running

Casualty

They're fighting to save patients while their personal lives are brimming with drama and intrigue. Everything's at stake on the emergency ward.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Running

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Emmy Award and Grammy Award winner Jimmy Fallon brought NBC's "The Tonight Show" back to its New York origins when he launched The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon from Rockefeller Center. Fallon puts his own stamp on the storied NBC late-night franchise with his unique comedic wit, on-point pop culture awareness, welcoming style and impeccable taste in music with the award-winning house band, The Roots.

GenreComedy