An open letter urges UK fashion retailers to back Leicester’s garment industry.
- The initiative seeks a 1% production commitment from 24 leading retailers.
- Signatories include trade unions and community groups.
- The plea highlights ethical production and local workforce benefits.
- Advocates stress the potential for positive change in UK fashion.
A coalition of trade unions, campaigners, and community groups has reached out to 24 UK fashion retailers, such as M&S, Next, and Matalan, urging them to support the garment industry in Leicester by committing to source 1% of their production from the city. This plea is seen as a crucial step towards revitalising Leicester’s manufacturing capabilities, offering benefits for both the local economy and the retailers involved.
Signatories of the letter include prominent organisations like Labour Behind the Label, the GMB Union, and the IWGB Union, alongside various community groups and academic institutions. Their collective voice underscores the need for responsible business practices that align with both ethical labour standards and environmental considerations.
The letter emphasises that while the fashion industry is intertwined with complex global supply chains, a commitment to sourcing a small fraction of production locally could signal a significant shift. Such a move would not only support ethical fashion production in Leicester but also promote decent wages and ensure workers’ rights are upheld.
Alena Ivanova, campaigns lead at Labour Behind the Label, passionately articulates the necessity for UK fashion brands to act responsibly and invest in communities that have long been integral to the industry. She stresses that maintaining jobs and enhancing skills locally presents a substantial opportunity for brands to align with sustainability goals and improve their reputational standing.
The proposed commitment aims to transform Leicester into a model city for ethical fashion production, with the potential for increased investment in training and upskilling local workers. This initiative aligns with broader trends towards sustainable and responsible fashion practices, encouraging a paradigm shift in how brands approach production and community engagement.
Encouraging a 1% production pledge could mark a turning point for the ethical and economic landscape of UK fashion.
