The initiative is intended to support domestic manufacturing networks while showcasing regional capabilities to both local and international audiences.
The first event is scheduled for Manchester in October 2026, with further roadshows planned in Scotland, Yorkshire, and the South East throughout the next 12 months.
Each roadshow will bring together manufacturers, mills, buyers, industry specialists and local stakeholders for a day dedicated to discussion, networking, and practical collaboration.
The programme is designed to address issues such as responsible sourcing, nearshoring, supply chain resilience and ongoing challenges in UK production.
Many fashion buying and sourcing teams are based outside London, particularly in Manchester and Yorkshire, prompting organisers to prioritise these regions. The roadshows will work closely with local authorities and industry networks to support projects that aim to map and reinforce manufacturing capacity in these areas.
Curated showcases by manufacturers will run alongside structured, content-led sessions, promoting engagement among participants across sectors.
The roadshows come as demand for more localised, transparent, and flexible sourcing solutions is increasing, whilst UK manufacturers face commercial pressures and reduced visibility.
Source Fashion and Fashion-Enter believe that stronger regional relationships can support domestic sourcing and reinforce the supply chain for UK fashion manufacturing.
Source Fashion event director Suzanne Ellingham said: “British manufacturing is at a crunch point. Across the industry, we’re hearing the same thing repeatedly from buyers, people simply don’t know what capacity still exists here in the UK, where the expertise is, or how to connect with the right manufacturers. At the same time, many incredible factories and businesses are operating under enormous pressure and need visibility now, not a year from now.
“For us, this partnership is about creating practical opportunities for those manufacturers to be seen, build relationships and win business within their own regions, while also helping connect the wider industry back together. There are brilliant manufacturers, mills and specialists across Manchester, Yorkshire, Scotland and other parts of the UK, but too often those regional ecosystems operate in isolation. The opportunity is to have local forums where manufacturers can come together and share insight, and also to understand how to leverage some of the wins that Leicester is making in public procurement.”
Jenny Holloway, founder and CEO Fashion-Enter & chair ATMF added: “Over the last twenty years we have been championing the importance of proximity sourcing in garment manufacturing today. There is a myth that we have lost our production skills in the UK, and this is wholly incorrect! There are excellent manufacturers in this country, and the new Road Shows will prove beyond doubt that the UK has proud heritage factories that are open for public procurement contracts and working with the big retail brands of today. Our partnership with Source Fashion has grown tremendously over the last two years; Source Fashion cares about the UK factories and now we are in a strong position to highlight the very best of ethical quality production in the UK today. Thank you, Source Fashion!”
The wider partnership extends Source Fashion’s support for UK manufacturing, following rapid growth in its British Pavilion and increasing calls from the industry for transparent, flexible sourcing.
The planned roadshows will seek to provide practical visibility for manufacturers and create opportunities for them to progress from regional exposure to presenting at Source Fashion in London, which is set to return to Excel from 7–9 July 2026.
