Morgan Sindall has commenced work on a new archive storage building at the Clarks headquarters in Street, Somerset.

The £1.5 million project includes the construction of the first half of the new archive together with the light refurbishment of the Grange, a Grade II listed former manor house located within the town which will also form part of the archive. The second phase of building work will start at a later date.

When complete the new building will house Clarks' 20,000-strong shoe collection, which includes many examples of designs produced by the iconic company, as well as footwear dating back to Victorian, medieval and Roman times, some of which are on display in the nearby Shoe Museum.

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The archive, which is looked after by the Alfred Gillett Trust, will also contain Clarks' business records and advertising memorabilia dating back to the 19th century, as well as archives relating to the Clark family and Street itself.

Simon King, contract manager for Morgan Sindall, said: "The new archive and refurbished listed building will provide the ideal space for the Clarks' shoe collection and archive. The project is due for completion in November and we have been working closely with planning officers to ensure the new buildings are in keeping with the existing listed property."

Charlotte Berry, archivist for the Alfred Gillett Trust at Clarks, says: "We're really excited about the new archive storage building. At present our collection is stored at a variety of locations so we will welcome having the entire collection located on one site in Street with good access."

(CD)