Comfort Club Winter 2009

Winter 2009

club Celebrating 50 years of making feet happy Following footsteps to solve crime Waterproof breathable comfort explained!

Yours makeover

– Ros has the WOW factor! r r ou e t En

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Brad tackles his way to the top!

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Hotter’s Warehouse Supervisor and busy mum Kellie Brennan is beaming with pride with the news that her 16 year old son Bradley has been snapped up to play for the Warrington Wolves rugby team.

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Bradley, who will play for the under 18 team academy, comes from a rugby mad family but didn’t start playing the game until his early teens.

“It feels brilliant to be signed up with the Wolves. I only took up the game 3 years ago after being introduced to it at school”.

As an avid St. Helen’s rugby fan, Brad’s mum Kellie is used to ferrying her family Bradley plays for Warrington Wolves under 18’s academy

appy birthday to us! Happy birthday to us … 50 years is a great landmark for any company, but for one making shoes in the UK we think it’s a momentous achievement – especially when you add our 100 seater call centre and www.hotter.com into the equation!

Our customers are such an important part of our success story that we are organising some special birthday celebrations – have a look at the enclosed flyer for more information or why not follow us on Twitter (we’ve only just started tweeting so please say hello!)

around to watch games.

Kellie says “Brad has worked very hard to get where he is and proves that with hard work, dedication and support anyone’s dream can come true. We’re all St. Helen’s fans but no matter who Brad plays for we will always support him!”

In this edition we celebrate reaching 50 with a look at Hotter over the years, our 50th birthday makeover winner is revealed (and doesn’t she look good) and we introduce our longest serving member of staff.

There’s an update on our ‘name a shoe’ competition – we had so many lovely suggestions that we’ve asked our Design Director to pick four and we’re asking you to vote for your favourite. And we take a closer look at how footwear helps solve crimes with the Lancashire police.

When she’s not watching rugby it’s Kellie’s job to supervise a busy team who do a great job picking your shoes off our warehouse shelves, and sending them to your doorstep!

Al an gets co mfy

I’m off to find someone who can bake me two large shoe shaped cakes for our 50th birthday factory tour – wish me luck – I’ll get you a photo! All the best, Melanie

Melanie Killilea.

Editor - Hotter Comfort Club

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asked to tell us When our Comfort Club readers were take a walk with to which celebrity they would most like marsh. And he one name topped the polls – Alan Titch in the same survey legions of lady use must be doing something right beca would most describe to be like a fans voted him as the famous man they st and made in England!” hone Hotter shoe: “stylish, comfy, reliable, r than seek out the man himself and So what were we supposed to do othe s to try - which is exactly what we shoe le reliab y, comf our of pair a give him and all round nice guy Alan did. Celebrity gardener, chat show host pair of rugged Rocky in Taupe. And a of r owne d prou the now Titchmarsh is of very little words but with very his verdict – obviously a Yorkshireman ble? Of course they are!” forta “Com us: told he discerning taste,

All shoes featured are available at www.hotter.com

Waterproof, breathable comfort - a unique part ners hip

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et autumn leaves, howling winds, snow and ice – don’t let the elements keep you inside this season, have a look at Hotter’s range of light walking boots and shoes for several good reasons to get out and about despite the weather! ®

The GORE-TEX Product Technology in this range offers 100% guaranteed waterproof protection and a high level of breathable comfort all underpinned by the ‘Guaranteed to keep you dry™’ promise which is unique to the footwear industry. The porous structure of the GORE-TEX® membrane within the lining inside the shoe, holds the secret to its success. Each pore in the membrane is about 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, which stops any water getting in. The pores are also 700 times bigger than a water vapour molecule, which means that sweat and moisture can easily escape, keeping your feet dry and at a comfortable temperature.

“All GORE-TEX® Footwear undergoes a stringent quality and testing programme that enables Gore to offer its unique promise,” explains Willie Fletcher of W L Gore & Associates, the company behind the innovative GORE-TEX® Product Technology. “All the Hotter GORE-TEX® shoes - from the laces to the outer material, even the tiny threads - are tested to make sure

Mist £69 e Loganberry Leather/Sued

“

at a glance ®

All GORE-TEX Footwear undergoes a stringent quality and testing programme

they achieve our high quality performance.”

”

The Walking Simulator is just one test where shoe samples are placed on flexible artificial feet which take up to 200,000 steps in a water bath – that’s about the same as a 500 km hike across a wet meadow or through a stream.

When moisture enters the shoe, the machine stops and an LED indicates where the leak is. So you can rest assured that whatever Hotter GORE-TEX® shoe you select it will take you up hill, down dale, and beyond in waterproof, breathable comfort!

Hotter’s GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort footwear … … offers the perfect combination of breathability and waterproof protection … means your feet stay dry and comfortable in changing weather conditions … is suitable for wear in everyday conditions Terra - £79 - Deep Teal

Men’s Venture - £79 - Brown Waxed Nubuck

win

The Hotter GORE-TEX® footwear range is the perfect addition for a leisurely walk this autumn and we’d like to hear about your favourite walks around Britain.

We’ll choose our favourite to win a pair of light walking shoes and we’ll aim to print a few of the best to share with our Hotter fans.

Send your stories (and photos) to the address on the back page.

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“ I found my

style”

As part of our 50th birthday celebrations we teamed up with Yours magazine to offer one lucky Comfort Club reader a top to toe makeover – and here are the results. up and glamorous – not mutton dressed as lamb – so I was intrigued to see what the experts would put me in.”

Ros’ outfit

Our winner: Rosamund Wong, 59, Bedford Ros says: “I entered the competition because as I’ve got older I’ve really, really struggled with my sense of style.

I recently realised that I’ve been wearing the same glasses, the same hairstyle, the same clothes and even the same earrings for about seven years.

“I was in serious need of an update – but I never for one minute thought I’d win the Hotter competition. When Yours got in touch I was so surprised. I worry about which clothes to buy all the time because I want to look grown

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The top Ros struggles to find the right top because there are so many different lengths on the high street at the moment. As a general rule – if you’re wearing a skirt, look for a top that sits on your hip, so it covers the waistband of the skirt without affecting how it hangs.

Longer tops look good with slim leg or straight cut trousers, but avoid them if you have wide hips or a big bottom, because the fabric will just cling to your biggest area.

The skirt This simple straight cut pencil skirt slims Ros’ hips and by doing so helps to balance out her narrower top half. Look for a hemline that sits on or just below your knee to show off the slimmest part of your leg.

Tights are big news this Autumn/Winter and anything goes from sheer shades such as Ros’ to thick opaques and even patterned styles. They’re a great way to hide your legs if you feel self-conscious

All shoes featured are available at www.hotter.com

about wearing a shorter skirt.

The shoes Ros rarely wears heels so she was amazed at how comfortable these court shoes are. Choosing a higher heel is a great way to slim your legs and add a few inches to your height. And you certainly don’t have to be in pain to wear them – just ensure you get a good fit. A pair of knee-high boots would also look great with this outfit.

get the look Blouse £39, sizes 8-18 Jasper Conran at Debenhams Black glitter cardigan £22 sizes 10-22 David Emanuel at Bonmarche Pencil skirt £28 sizes 12-32 Marisota Red bracelet £12 Mood by Jon Richard at Debenhams Court shoes - Enchant £59 sizes 3-9 also available in Extra wide fit from Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes

Yours Makeover The verdict: “I would never have looked at this blouse – but for a special occasion it would be great. The skirt is the ideal length – not too short and shoes are so comfortable too – today has been a brilliant confidence boost.”

Enchant £59 Brown Croc Leather

Pe rfe ct m atch...

En ch ant pe rfe ctly co-ordi nate s with ne clutch ba g in Brow w Elg ar n Croc Credits Stylist - Alex Reid Hair and make-up - Olivia Ferrer Photography - Ruth Jenkinson

The ideal Christmas gift Find out more about Ros’ makeover in the latest issue of Yours magazine, available on the news stand on 17th November 2009. A Yours magazine subscription makes a perfect Christmas gift. Why not treat a friend or yourself? Yours for only £1 a copy saving you 40p on every magazine plus free delivery. All orders received before 9th December 2009 are guaranteed to be set up as a Christmas gift.

Buy your subscription in time for Christmas, Lo-Call 0845 601 1356 and quote ref: KTHT or visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/hotter Offer closes 31st January 2010

Yours for ONLY £1 a copy plus FREE delivery ORDER NOW!

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Celebra ting

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The original factory in 1959

1959 – 2009

Celebrating 50 years of making feet happy!

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n November 6th there could be a glow in the sky over Lancashire – it won’t be the aftermath of bonfire night, it’ll be the 50 candles on the very large cake we’ll need to celebrate 50 years of making feet happy!

In five decades Hotter Comfort Concept has grown from being the producer of moulded slippers to one of the biggest shoe manufacturers in the UK making some of the most technically advanced shoes in the world. We’re proud of every pair and delighted that you have accompanied us on our journey so far.

Hotter Comfort Concept is the name of our brand of comfy stylish shoes and they are made by our company Beaconsfield Footwear – which was set up in 1959 by

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All shoes featured are available at www.hotter.com

the parents of the current managing director Stewart Houlgrave. At the time there were a number of shoe companies based in Skelmersdale, so Thomas Houlgrave had a pool of skilled local workers to draw on when he set up his slipper making business. The slippers were sold to independent retailers and major multiple stores and whilst successful for a number of years, foreign imports into the country in the 80s drove the company to seek new markets and marketing strategies.

Stewart, 50, had been immersed in the footwear business from an early age, working in every department from design to manufacture to sales. Having travelled the world seeking out the highest quality components, Stewart had an in-depth knowledge of the footwear market and had discovered a new way

The ‘Calendar Girls’ make their first visit 2002

Stewart with our moulding machines 1998 Staff celebrating Hotters 40th birthday 1999

Celebrating the Queens Jubilee 1977

of making footwear – direct moulding. This technique created shoes with polyurethane soles – which are lightweight, flexible and full of cushioning air bubbles.

With this comfort formula hidden in his shoe soles he set about designing features in the uppers which would enhance this concept of comfort – smooth seams, padding at tongue and heels, space for toes to wiggle.

Rather than make shoes for other people to sell, Stewart decided to take his comfort and style blueprint and create a brand – and so Hotter Comfort Concept was born . The initial collection actually included shoes such as Dew and Stream which are still part of the current range, albeit in an updated format. The shoes were sold into independent retailers nationwide until Stewart had his second ‘eureka’ moment – deciding to sell direct to customers. His dream was realised in 1997 when he commissioned an advert for the Sunday papers to promote a brochure of the best comfy Hotter shoes. Initially it was all hands to the deck at Beaconsfield Footwear to answer customer calls and post out brochures, but as more customers were attracted to our shoe brand, and told their friends,

the mail order service grew – in fact now we have a 100 seater call centre which is open seven days a week and all but three days in the year.

We took our shoes to the high street, quite literally, in 2002 when we opened our first store in Southport, and another huge milestone was a £6 million investment in our new factory in 2003 – the biggest shoe making company opened in the UK since the 70s. Since then Hotter has opened five more high street stores (with two in the pipeline), invested an additional £500,000 to create the world’s most technologically advanced shoe making production lines, launched www.hotter.com and started advertising on TV! There’s always something new at Hotter – whether it’s our fashionable heels, comfy ballerinas, or sporty lace-ups and we’re always keen to listen to your ideas and suggestions – which is why we open our doors once a month for a factory tour.

We’ve got plans to celebrate our 50th in style, so keep an eye on our catalogue and on our website to keep up to date. Many Happy Returns to us – and many happy feet to you!

We say goodbye to our Liverpool Road site 2003

Our new factory starts to take shape 2003

We officially open our new site 2003

Our 5th store in York opened its doors 2008

Tell us a Hotter story …

We are asked many times where the name Hotter originates – but we don’t have a clever answer – Hotter was just one of a list of names conjured up by Stewart and his design team. We wondered if you could help us create a story behind the name – why do you think we named our brand Hotter? We’ll publish the best story and the winner will receive some lovely Hotter goodies – just send your entries to the address on the back page.

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G N I D REA LY

T REFUinLst crime CA fight aga in the

You can tell a lot about a person from the shoes they wear … particularly if you’re looking for a criminal apparently!

Following the footsteps of criminals to secure an arrest may seem a little ‘Miss Marple’ in these days of CSI and DNA, but there are teams of police forensic experts across the country devoted to footwear analysis. Indeed each year thousands of shoe marks are examined, catalogued and used to help solve more than 4,000 crimes per year in the UK. “Every shoe has an identifying sole pattern which, when combined with the individual scuffs and damage caused by the wearer, makes their footprints quite unique. Of course we have to be careful because as shoes are worn more damage will occur, but some damage will be very specific,” said

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Danyela Kellett Senior Footwear Analyst

Danyela Kellett, Senior Footwear Analyst at Lancashire Constabulary. Her team has been instrumental in devising the National Footwear Reference Collection which, by 2010, will be used by 43 police forces in England and Wales, together with the Scottish Police Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

“Several forces have been logging footwear impressions for a number of years, but the new register is the first time that all the data has been standardised, so now specific footwear brands and styles have the same reference nationwide,” explained Danyela, whose team, which was one of the first in the UK, was set up in 1996. “Careful analysis of the database has also revealed interesting regional footwear trends – with offenders in particular areas all wearing the same footwear brand and even

All shoes featured are available at www.hotter.com

Taking a cast

product style, almost like a uniform.”

Shoe marks are often used as an intelligence tool to link crimes together. “We may have the same mark at ten scenes, and although this wouldn’t tell us who the offender was, if a fingerprint or DNA has been left behind at one of the scenes then we can link all the crimes together, helping to solve more crimes more quickly,” added Danyela.

When a suspect comes in for interview, for certain recordable crimes such as burglary, robbery or criminal damage, the police can ask to examine the suspect’s shoes. “A print is taken of the sole of the shoe using a special kit

designed for this purpose” she said. “This print is tagged with shoe size, brand and style and is checked against our records of incidents with similar patterns.

photography and lighting we can enhance the prints, generating a really detailed impression.”

“At crime scenes we can make casts of marks if possible, and we always work with the knowledge that people can’t fly – so there will almost always be footwear marks at a crime scene, although they cannot always be seen by the naked eye. Using specialist

Last year alone the Lancashire force took shoe marks from 3,000 scenes, with up to ten marks per scene, and 250 crimes were solved with the assistance of forensic footwear investigation. There are around 300 shoe brands in the footwear files, 80% of which are

Real life cas e Unique damage helped detectives

In January 2009 two masked men entered the home of an elderly couple, assaulted and threatened the male occupant and attempted to open a safe using a sledgehammer. The offenders made off when the victim tried to call the police.

A male suspect was arrested 20 minutes later and marks were made from his footwear which were compared to two types found at the scene.The footwear team found that pattern, size and wear of his shoes corresponded to those at the scene including a number of random damage features and unique ‘feathering’. This was conclusive evidence the marks were made by the footwear of the suspect who was remanded in custody and later pleaded guilty in crown court.

from the same fashion brands – indeed some of these brands have nearly a thousand style variations.

As you would imagine, trainers figure highly in the larger files - it’s not often a burglar wears stilettos for a getaway – however, interestingly amongst the thousands there is a very, very small file of some four pairs of Hotter shoes!

“The of De re is no b whi tective ranch and sch is so imScience o as th much neportant e ar glec foots t of tracin ted teps g – She ”

“A St rlock Ho udy i lmes n 1887 Scarlet”

Hotter helps police with their enquiries …

Hotter footwear designers have invited Lancashire’s forensic footwear experts to the factory to help identify some unknown footwear imprints. “We have a number of shoe marks where we’ve been unable to identify the shoe brand, so we’ve asked the footwear experts at Hotter to help us with identification,” said Danyela.

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Grape

escape

By Graham Gendall Norton

W

hat better way to get the essential flavour of some of the world’s most interesting destinations than by trying their wines …

First to the Argentinian Andes and the high vineyards of the well-regarded Mendoza. Sampling Malbec, Argentina’s “signature” wine, I fell particularly for the Gestos 2008, made by Finca Flichman, a skillful blend from two vineyards which offer a great bouquet of violets; with cherries, blueberries and purple-skinned plums on the palate. This wine is from Majestic (£6.99; £5.49 for 2+) and is included in the six wines they are kindly offering as a prize for the lucky reader who wins our competition.

Next to New Zealand - renowned for its crisp Sauvignon Blancs. I chose the 2008 Wither Hills (£8.99; £5.99 for 2+) as the first of our whites. Take it out of the fridge, open, leave for 10 minutes before you pour and sniff the scent of gooseberries. In the mouth, they’ll join grapefruit notes in zesty stimulation.

Back now to Europe, and to Italian producers De Forville with the 2008 Dolcetto d’Alba. (£8.69; £6.95 for 2+). Watch for assertive tannins on the finish, tame them by “double decanting” – simply pour into a jug, then back in the bottle and leave time to breathe in the glass. The nose gives definite raspberries; on the palate, riper berry fruits, spice, a hint of liquorice. Serve with meaty

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pastas, good British beef or a harder cheese A great contrast is “Dr L” Riesling 2008 (£6.99), from famed German producer the Loosen Brothers. A fantastic Gold Medal winning white, low alcohol (8.5% by Vol.), light, refreshing, hinting at stone fruits, peaches and apricots, with a tingle on the tongue. Enjoy before, and with, a lunch of salmon or trout.

Lastly, to France. First the red, a Côtes-du-Rhône Saint-Esprit 2007 from Delas-Frères (£8.99, £6.99 for 2+). This is exceptional quality for a southern Rhone, the blend displaying dark fruits and spice on the palate, from its Syrah (Shiraz), with 25% Grenache, giving something of New World fullness.

To end, Champagne, Brut, (dry) from the house of Canard-Duchêne.

The impressive bottle with the Russian Imperial Eagle (“by

All shoes featured are available at www.hotter.com

appointment” to the last Tsar, Nicholas II) offers a quality, elegant balance, smoothness, intriguing the palate with hints of fruit and even brioche. A stream of fine bubbles enhances these flavours.

An N.V. (Non Vintage) bottle, about 25% comes from reserve wines of previous years to make this splendid blend. (£26.65, £15.99 for 2+). * Prices quoted are the single bottle price and the price per bottle for two or more. You can now buy Majestic wines by the 6 bottle case in store or 12 per case for delivery (which is free).

win To win 6 bottles send your answer alone with your name, address and telephone number to the address on the back page.

Question: What is the capital of Argentina?

Samantha Thompson

hoops!

Jumping through

A

lucky pair of shoes may be the secret to the success of former England International Golf Croquet champion Samantha Thompson.

As the number one woman in the UK and Ireland Golf Croquet rankings, Sam’s been playing the sport competitively for 14 years, and makes sure she’s wearing her lucky pair of white shoes when she’s playing in the competitions.

“The rules of golf croquet dictate that we wear white clothes and white shoes with flat soles to play the game” says Sam. “My favourite pair of shoes has seen me through some tough competitions over the years.”

Sam is the resident coach at the Ripon Spa Hotel Croquet Club, along with Keith Smith who founded the club in 1993. Since then the club has hosted no less than 14 International Open Golf Croquet Championships and 8 Women’s Open Championships.

“Our competitors travel far and wide to play in competitions here at Ripon. The latest winner, of the 14th

International Open, was from Egypt and the year before a South African won it,” said Keith. “Golf croquet is an alternative form of croquet, and can be picked up and played by beginners very quickly, but there is a great deal of skill and tactics involved.”

Golf croquet is one of the most popular forms of the croquet game, but don’t be tempted to trade in your favourite mallet for a 9-iron and a driver as the name suggests.

Golf croquet features the same croquet balls and mallets as other croquet games, but the teams or players compete to earn points by

being the first and only ball to clear each hoop.

“Croquet is a fantastic way to exercise and is great fun and very sociable at the same time” says Sam. “We have plans to spend £6,000 this year to add an extra court to the three and a half we already have, which will enable us to attract the 2011 European championships to Ripon.”

Let’s hope that Sam’s favourite pair of shoes are still bringing her luck in 2011!

All shoes featured are available at www.hotter.com

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Give a shoe a good name!

We b exclu sive www

.hotter.com

When we ran our competition to name a Hotter shoe we were inundated with entries – favourite family members, friends, pets and customers themselves were all put forward as suggestions.

Our Design Director was really spoiled for choice so he’s picked four of his favourites and we’re asking you to go online to vote for which you think is best. All four suggestions win their entrants a pair of Autumn shoes and the one you vote to win will also receive her newly named pair when they are made.

Log onto www.hotter.com to find out the story behind Pandora, Moira, Smiles and Symphony and have your chance to vote for a winner. And don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter while you’re there for news, offers and our monthly Comfort Club magazine.

One of the names that didn’t make our Design Director’s top four was Eliza Anne – a name suggested by Leila Richardson of Sheffield who sent this atmospheric photo of her grandmother the inspiration behind the name: “She was wise, loving, welcoming and a superb cook!”

footnotes Brian Johnson is the longest serving Hotter employee – having joined the company the Brian same year that England won the world cup! He currently works as a serviceman in the factory in the team has which makes sure that each machine so – rials mate raw of ly a constant supp we can meet our 30,000 pairs a week target! He’s seen lots of changes at Hotter over the years and his most memorable moment is meeting his wife June who works on our finishing line.

I was born in… Skelmerdale dinner My favourite comfort food is… roast I first joined Hotter in… 1966 r of Love by Jennifer Rush My all time favourite song is… The Powe ied to June marr g gettin The best day of my life was… my job! doing at… good You wouldn’t know it but I’m n garde the weed to…

If I have time to myself I like York New is… n My favourite holiday destinatio comfortable is... electricity The invention that makes my life most because I love watching TV r is... meeting my wife here My most memorable moment at Hotte is… Shore because I wear them made ever The best Hotter shoe we’ve

Closing date for competitions is 1oth December 2009 To find out who won our Autumn competitions please contact Melanie Killilea.

Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes, 2 Peel Road, West Pimbo, Skelmersdale, Lancashire. WN8 9PT Customer Service: 0800 525 893 Personal Shoppers: 0800 083 3083 Melanie Killilea:01695 712 720 Email: m.killilea@hotter.com Web: www.hotter.com