ICLT – last of UK’s leather schools – likely to close

Northampton, UK - The Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT), the final incarnation of the combined University of Northampton’s Leather Department and the National Leathersellers’ College, will probably close soon.
Many of Africa’s top tanners studied at one or other of those institutions.

In a letter to Professor Will Wise, who is research lead at the ICLT, but sent to him as president of the Society of Leather Technologists & Chemists (SLTC), University of Northampton (UON) vice chancellor Professor Anne-Marie Kilday wrote that “a new strategy” would be published in October.

She said the UON had “cross subsidised” the ICLT for several years, but that “it has now entered a period of internal consultation to determine the future of leather education and research against a backdrop of a fall in student demand, economic downturn, and rising energy prices”.

She said there had been “declining applications over a number of years”.
“The number of UK leather producers has been in decline, and the largest producers are now China, Brazil, Russia, India and Italy. This has severely impacted the number of domestic students, and has not delivered commensurate international students.
“In recent years, recruitment has also been heavily impacted by Brexit and the loss of a regular flow of students from Italy. Our research in the discipline is world-leading, but research income is not offsetting the overheads of facilities and operational requirements or the costs of teaching dwindling student numbers.

“In October, we will publish a new strategy that includes a framework to improve and enhance our estate to the benefit of staff, students and the wider community. The legacy of the study of leather at UON is valued, and our sincere hope is that we find a practical solution to retain the subject as we move forward. We must however recognise the implications of continuing to cross-subsidise leather education and research.”
She said that “Fashion and Footwear courses at UON will remain, are unaffected by this consultation, and will adapt to any changes in leather provision”.