Clarks has opened a museum to mark its 200th anniversary.
The Shoemakers Museum, based in Clarks Village shopping outlet, Somerset, operates next to the shoe retailer’s headquarters and contains over 25.000 shoes.
The museum features historic products related to the brand’s footwear and the Clark family, such as photos, documents and adverts.
Spanning across four galleries, the site explores Clarks’ Quaker beginnings in Somerset to becoming a worldwide company.
The museum contains its shopfronts from the 1950s and 1980s, as well as voices of former factory staff.
The site also displays desert boots, sheepskin slippers, Britpop stagewear, school shoes, promotional films and prototypes.
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The Shoemakers Museum was built by local contractors, designers and engineers, alongside Bristol-based architect Purcell.
Shoemakers Museum director Rosie Martin said: “This is a museum about people – their craft, their community and the shoes that became part of life’s biggest milestones.
“Whether you remember your first pair of Clarks or you’re discovering the story for the first time, this is a space for connection, creativity and collective memory.”
Clarks launched its back to school range in July, with its lowest prices in a decade.
The footwear giant said its refreshed collection reflected it commitment to making high-quality school shoes more accessible for families across the UK.
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