Grenson was originally born in 1866 as William Green and Son by the man of the same name (strangely enough). The business thrived due to the invention of Goodyear Welting and by the 1890’s had moved into the current factory at Queen Street, Rushden in Northamptonshire.   By the 1930’s brand names were in vogue and hence “Green and sons” was shortened to Grenson.   Business was tough for all shoe factories after the Depression but in some ways the War in 1939 gave many of them new purpose. Grenson made many shoes for British soldiers and even invented a boot with a fur lined detachable leg that could be discarded by the pilot when shot down if he needed to run fast to escape.   In 2004 the company changed hands and the brand was relaunched, using its heritage and quality but making it relevant to the modern marketplace.   Today Grenson is sold all over the world in many of the best stores from Harrods and Selfridges to Bergdorf and Bloomingdales.