Meet the family spreading the ‘made in Britain’ message that’s gone viral
The Bradshaw family, aka The British Family, are well known consumer champions for British manufacturing and they continue in their efforts to get us all buying British by launching a free logo that business can use to clearly identify their products as ‘made in Britain’. In the 2 months since launching the logo it has been downloaded by over 500 businesses, through word-of-mouth alone, and it is fair to say the Bradshaw’s are overwhelmed by the response.
James (36) and Emily (31) and their 4 year old son Lucan, from Westerham in Kent, have built up quite a following in the last 3 years through their much publicised campaigns aimed at saving UK industry. These have included buying nothing but British made for 12 months, throwing an annual celebration of British manufacturing attracting over 12,000 people and enjoying a totally handmade Christmas, all of which have been religiously documented on their blog – www.britishfamily.co.uk.
However, their latest project is calling for manufacturers to show solidarity by displaying the free logo and adding it to their products, packaging and in store displays. “It is crazy that so few British manufacturers still show clearly where their products are made, and with people seeking out British products more than ever, they are likely losing out.” says James. He continues “That is why we created the logo and the response has gone viral.”
It is clear that since this family began their adventures just over 3 years ago the issue of British made and locally sourced goods has come to prominence. When asked if they feel somewhat responsible for this rise in awareness Emily suggests “I hope we have helped and we were certainly part of a movement, or revolution, if you will, but to say that we started it might be pushing it a little.”
One of those passionate British Manufacturers supporting the Bradshaw family’s campaign is Scottish entrepreneur Eddie Middleton of Chillchaser® Infrared Outdoor Heaters, who last year brought back his manufacturing from China to the UK by opening a new factory near Edinburgh. Several years ago Eddie infamously featured on the BBC Two program Dragons Den turning down the shows largest ever offer from Peter Jones and James Khan of £255,000. Eddie says “manufacturers need to recognise the value of the Made-in-Britain logo and get behind the Bradshaw’s campaign! Chillchaser has used the Made in Britain logo on our products and it definitely helps us win more business in the UK and in the 30 Countries we export to.”
But the logo is not just for large exporters, the Bradshaw’s state that many of those that use the logo are smaller businesses. Steve Britton-Williams is one such user. He is a product designer turned inventor and entrepreneur whose rapidly growing range of housewares can be found in high street retailers such as Lakeland. “The logo not only gives me a selling point to differentiate my products from lower quality imports at the cheaper end of the market, but also to compete with more established and expensive brands at the upper end by challenging historic assumptions that buying British made goods always means having to pay a premium. I believe in the UK we’ve always had the world’s best design, engineering and manufacturing talent on our door-step to achieve this goal, so let’s use it.”
The Bradshaw’s have not set any particular ambitions for how many businesses they anticipate will be using the logo 12 months from now, but if the last few months are anything to go by it should be ubiquitous in stores soon.
If you would like to download the free made in Britain logo it is currently available through the Bradshaw’s blog at www.britishfamily.co.uk/made-britain-logo-free-download