The Factory Next Door

• 30. The Kitchen Scissors

  Sheffield is about to embark on a brand refresh which celebrates the city’s role in the history of cultural phenomena such as football, electronic music, and cask beer. But we’re heading there to champion something omitted from the marketing rebrand – the city’s skilled steel workers. On this week’s The Factory Next Door, we’re visiting the workshop of Ernest Wright, where they’ve been hand-making beautiful scissors and shears since 1902. Number 30 on our list of the greatest products we make in Britain are The Kitchen Scissors. Owner Paul Jacobs explains why he bought the company before he’d even visited it, discusses how to ensure younger workers want to join the team, and looks to start an argument with a colleague. Also on the show, we gate-crash birthday celebrations, give praise to a very specific chunk of metal on a saddle grinder, and team member Jonathan reveals the sign that stood in his way and commanded him to become a scissor-making. Please consider buying me a coffee to keep this show on the road: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefactorynextdoor

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• 29. The Three-Piece Suit

  Being a tailor is a profession. It has been since 1563 when laws were passed that stated you could only trade as a tailor if you had served your term learning the craft. Today, there are around 13,000 tailors across the UK, and while Savile Row may be synonymous with the craft, most tailors are working their magic in our satellite cities and market towns. On this week’s The Factory Next Door, we head to Macclesfield to meet Brita. She’s a celebrated tailor in her own right, as well as being the driving force behind The Tailoring Academy – a school teaching our next generation of tailors. Number 29 on our list of the greatest products we make in Britain is The Three-Piece Suit. As we explore the Academy, Brita explains why having an engineers' mind helps to be a good tailor, the zen-like state you must journey into when spending hours hand-sewing, and we celebrate operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti. We also catch up with a former student to learn how the craft has changed his life, and discover why tailors, when they first meet, never look each other in the eye. Please consider buying me a coffee to keep this show on the roadhttps://buymeacoffee.com/thefactorynextdoor (you don’t need to register or create an account!) Say hello on Instagram @thefactorynextdoor

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• 28. The Prospector Pan

  Across Europe, we’ve been cooking with iron pans since the 1600s (the Chinese were using them 1,000 years before that), but they fell out of favour after the invention of ‘non-stick’ chemicals. Now, following studies suggesting some of those chemicals may be bad for our health, iron pans are returning to our stoves. The UK market is currently estimated to be growing at almost 10% year-on-year. On this week’s The Factory Next Door, we head to Shropshire to meet the team crafting the iron pans that celebrity chefs and Michelin star restaurateurs seek out. Number 28 on our list of the greatest products we make in Britain is The Prospector Pan by Netherton Foundry. Founder Neil Currie shows us the beauty of spinning iron, explains his love of industrial design, and reveals why he once called home to ask his family to throw out all their cooking pans. Also on the show, we celebrate the versatility of flaxseed oil, recognise the power of local provenience, and hear about exporting woks to China. Please consider buying me a coffee to keep this show on the road:https://buymeacoffee.com/thefactorynextdoor(there's no need to register or create an account!) Say hello on Instagram @thefactorynextdoor

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• 27. The Doorman's Umbrella

  Around 1.5 million umbrellas are reportedly made in the UK every year. We need them. The UK gets around 171 days of rain every year (though that’s across the entire country, thankfully not in one spot!)  On this week’s The Factory Next Door we head to East London to visit one of our last remaining umbrella makers. Number 27 on our list of the greatest things we make in Britain is The Doorman’s Umbrella by Ince Umbrellas. Managing Director Richard Ince chats about the pressures of running a 215-year-old family business, the need to move away from plastic components, and reflects on what he believes are his weaknesses as a boss. Richard also tells us about making umbrellas for Coldplay, why he entered the business as a 17-year-old, and questions the industry stats as his company doesn’t tell anyone how many umbrellas they make! Please consider buying me a coffee to keep this show on the roadhttps://buymeacoffee.com/thefactorynextdoor(you don’t need to register or create an account!) Say hello on Instagram @thefactorynextdoor

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• 26. The Sparkling Wine

  Making sparkling wine is an old craft that’s found a new home. The French (and other European nations) may have been producing it for 300 years, but since the start of the 21st century, the UK has become an increasingly significant player. On this week’s The Factory Next Door we head to Kent to meet the team making some of our most internationally celebrated wines. Number 26 on our list of the greatest things we make in Britain is The Sparkling Wine by Gusbourne. Chief Vineyard Manager Jon Pollard explains why the number of hectares under vine in England and Wales has quadrupled in the past 25 years, talks about managing the changing climate, as well as getting back to traditional farming methods and why sheep are welcome visitors to the estate. Also on the show, Gusbourne’s head winemaker Mary Bridges chats about the ‘salt’ and ‘pepper’ of winemaking, the joy of harvesting, and reveals she occasionally wants someone else to pick the wine when out with friends. Please consider buying me a coffee to keep this show on the roadhttps://buymeacoffee.com/thefactorynextdoor(you don’t need to register or create an account!) Say hello on Instagram @thefactorynextdoor

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