KENDALIANS have started to question whether Clarks International should be allowed to continue to use the K Shoes brand with shoe manufacture in the town due to cease this year.

The letter K, which stood for Kendal, was first used in 1865 to guarantee the quality of the company's products.

When the then C&J Clark took over K Shoes in 1981, it acquired ownership of the K name.

Clarks bosses have said they will continue to use the K brand - which is the third biggest women's brand in the UK - on specific products.

The Mayor of Kendal, Coun Avril Dobson, said the town council was likely to debate the issue at its meeting on Monday.

"It's almost dishonest of them (Clarks) because they are using the K brand which means something is made in England."

County councillor Tom Clare said the use of the brand raised questions about the global economy.

"If they are manufactured out in the Far East they should not be carrying implications they are made in Britain."

John Keery, for Clarks, said that most people were no longer aware what the K in K Shoes represented.

"It's a brand of shoes that has a reputation for quality and that reputation will continue."

What do you think?

Should Clarks International be allowed to continue to use the K Shoes brand?

Write to the Letters Editor, Westmorland Gazette, 22 Stricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4NE or e-mail: gnewsdesk@kendal.newsquest.co.uk with your views.

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January 17, 2003 10:00