Source Fashion, Fashion-Enter and ATMF to host ‘Made in Manchester’ this November

Manchester, UK – September 2026  – Source Fashion, Fashion-Enter and the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers' Forum (ATMF) have announced the launch of Made in Manchester & Regions, a new roadshow event bringing together brands, retailers and UK manufacturers to build the commercial case for localised production.

The event will take place at Manchester Hall on 4 November 2026, and is free to attend.

The first in a new programme of regional roadshows, Made in Manchester & Regions will give buyers, brands and retailers the opportunity to meet UK manufacturers, explore local production capabilities, and consider how sourcing closer to home could benefit their businesses.

Industry stakeholders will also come together to address the future of UK manufacturing and identify practical steps to strengthen the sector.

The event builds on the success of the Leicester Made series and arrives as global supply chain volatility prompts brands to reconsider resilience and proximity in their sourcing strategies, even as UK manufacturers contend with rising costs and pressure on capacity and skills.

Discussions will move beyond the ambition to source locally, examining the barriers preventing more orders from reaching British factories, the role of public procurement, and how manufacturers can compete on speed, flexibility, quality and sustainability rather than price alone.

The programme will also explore how the benefits of localised production can be articulated in terms that resonate with boardroom decision-makers, alongside shifting consumer trends around durability and quality.

Jenny Holloway, Chair of ATMF and Founder of Fashion-Enter, said: “Made in Manchester & Regions is a new way forward for manufacturers today! Based on the last three successful Leicester Made events, November 4th promises to be the best inspiring networking event yet! It's perfect timing to be hosting this event in Manchester with our PM Andy Burnham strongly endorsing the re-industrialisation and restoring of public procurement contracts! An enormous thank you to Source Fashion for making MIM a reality and partnering this event!”

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, said: “One of the biggest barriers retailers and brands face when it comes to working with UK-based manufacturers isn't always cost, but visibility – who to work with and who is left? This event is aimed at bringing the industry together and shining a light on local capabilities, arming buyers with the insight and clear rationale as to why, in an era of incredible volatility, localised production makes sense as part of a balanced supplier mix.We are also taking this opportunity to bring together all the key industry stakeholders who are coming together to force change and create a unified voice that will demand government support for this sector.”

Manchester will be the first stop in a wider programme, with the conversation continuing at Source Fashion at ExCeL London from 19–21 January 2027, before heading to Scotland in Q1 2027.

The full speaker line-up will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Source Fashion

Source Fashion is a leading trade event connecting global brands and retailers with responsible, quality manufacturers, held at ExCeL London.

About Fashion-Enter

Fashion-Enter is a UK-based ethical manufacturing and training company dedicated to championing British-made fashion production.

About ATMF

The Apparel and Textile Manufacturers' Forum (ATMF) represents and supports UK apparel and textile manufacturers, advocating for the strengthening of domestic production.



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