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HISTORY
The Celtic Sheepskin Co. originated in Newquay in 1973 as ‘Hide & Feet’ - making Ugg Boots and assorted leather goods. Nick Whitworth and his wife Kath – who had worn Ugg boots for years - bought the business in August 1990 from a local builder. There were no staff, no accounts and the company’s entire stock amounted to just seven pairs of boots – but the couple saw an opportunity to promote the Ugg boot as an integral part of Cornwall’s growing surf and lifestyle culture to men, women & children.
In 1991 Nick registered the term UGG as a UK trademark in the International class 25 division of footwear – No. 1,326,567 and for the next 6 years trading continued under the new name of ‘The Original Ugg Co.’ With ever increasing sales, the popularity of Ugg spread around the UK, so a decision was made to concentrate on selling via mail order catalogue and of course via the web. During this time the company diversified into slippers – now a core product for the business.
In 1994 Brian Smith from the USA Company of Ugg Holdings contacted Nick and came over to Newquay to discuss the purchase of the rights to use the term UGG. Negotiations slowed whilst Ugg Holdings were taken over by Deckers Outdoor Corporation, but finally in 1996 an agreement was reached whereby Deckers Outdoor Corporation licensed the use of the UGG trademark, with an option to purchase at a later date.
In the meantime Nick in Newquay changed the company name from The Original Ugg Co. to The Celtic Sheepskin Co. and re-christened the distinctive range of boots from Ugg boots to ‘Celt boots’ – the name with which the company is now synonymous. You can find out more about our handmade British Celt boots here.
Since then the company has continued to innovate and diversify its product range, starting in the late 90’s with a range of sheepskin coats and introducing clothing in 2005.
Celtic Sheepskin moved to its current premises on The Treloggan Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Newquay in 2005 and added a 7,000 sq. ft. extension to the main warehouse in 2007, thereby allowing the footwear workshop to move from another unit on the industrial estate, to within the main building. All of Celtic Sheepskin's wide range of Celt Boots continue to be handmade in Newquay from 100% real sheepskin.
The term UGG is now registered to the Deckers Outdoor Corporation.
