British sportswear brand Castore has acquired a majority stake in shoe manufacturer Grenson. The company has been making shoes in Northamptonshire, England, since 1866.
According to Grenson’s filings with the UK Companies Register, J Carter Sporting Club Limited, the company behind Castore, has acquired a 75 percent stake in the shoe and boot manufacturer. The previous owners of Grenson, Tim Little and his wife Julie Little, have resigned from the board. Grenson has also officially moved its registered office from its traditional location in Northamptonshire to Castore’s headquarters in Manchester.
“Grenson is an iconic British brand with an exceptional heritage, craftsmanship and authenticity,” said Catore CEO Tom Beahon. “Phil and I have long admired the company. We see a significant opportunity to support the next chapter while protecting the characteristics that make it so special. The Castore Group’s ambition is to build a portfolio of premium British brands with global relevance. As with Belstaff, this investment is a commitment to long-term responsibility. We are investing in strong fundamentals and helping distinctive British brands reach more customers around the world.”
Grenson is one of the oldest and most respected names in traditional British shoemaking, founded in 1866 by William Green. The brand made a name for itself as a key supplier to the British military during the First and Second World Wars.
In 2010, Little bought the company from the Green family. He launched an expansion of the brand through four stores in London and wholesale with retailers such as Selfridges, Dover Street Market and Mr Porter. He also introduced the first women’s collection in 30 years. This was followed by high-profile collaborations with brands such as New Balance, Craig Green, Liberty, Vivienne Westwood, Neighborhood and Kith.
“I always knew I wanted to one day ensure a bright future for Grenson,” said Tim Little, Grenson’s managing director. “When I met Tom and Phil, I knew they were the perfect people for this. They understood the brand, its legacy and the opportunity. From the first meeting, I was convinced they were the ideal stewards of the brand. I can’t wait to work with them on this exciting new chapter for this 160-year-old company.”
Details of the agreement were not disclosed.
This is the second acquisition of a traditional brand for Castore. The company previously purchased the British luxury brand Belstaff from its parent company Ineos in August 2025. The move was seen at the time as Castore’s entry into luxury fashion to diversify beyond its sportswear expertise. Castore sponsors major sports teams around the world and designs sportswear for everyday training as well as for professional athletes.
This article was created using digital tools translated.
FashionUnited uses artificial intelligence to speed up the translation of articles and improve the end result. They help us to make FashionUnited’s international reporting quickly and comprehensively accessible to a German-speaking readership. Articles translated using AI-based tools are proofread and carefully edited by our editors before they are published. If you have any questions or comments, please email [email protected]
