Meet The Maker

Hi, I'm Andrew – the founder and maker behind Bowland Leather.

Bowland Leather was born from a deep desire to carry forward my family's legacy and create leather goods that are built to last. In a world where fast, disposable fashion is the norm, I wanted to offer something different: handcrafted, durable pieces made with care and integrity.

Leatherwork runs in my blood. Back in 1948, my Grandad Bob took a leap of faith and opened his own cobbler’s shop. Over the years, that little shop grew into a well-loved business, offering quality leather goods from around the world. When my grandparents retired, my Mum and Dad took the reins, and during that time, I came into the world - quite literally raised among the sights, smells, and sounds of leatherwork.

After 70 years of serving our local community, the shop eventually closed its doors. Changing times and the flood of low-cost, low-quality imports made it impossible to compete. But for me, working with leather was never just a job, it’s a passion, a craft, and a way of life. That’s when Bowland Leather was born.

I’m proud to be one of the few traditional leatherworkers still practicing today using time honoured techniques to create pieces that are made to last a lifetime and beyond. Every item I make is designed to be an heirloom, something to be treasured, used, and passed down.

Sustainability is at the heart of what I do. I only use premium vegetable-tanned leather from ethical tanneries. This eco-friendly process avoids the harmful chemicals used in chrome tanning, making it better for you and the planet.

Thank you for stopping by and supporting independent craftsmanship. If you’d like to know more or have any questions, I’d love to hear from you.

Take care,
Andrew

R. MARSDEN Circa 1953