21/06/2026
Happy Father’s Day!
For those of you who don’t know, we’re a fourth generation family run shoe workshop in England. But our story began in 1936 with our founder, Franciszek Goral, handmaking shoes in a small workshop in Poland for his local village. He had no idea he was starting something that would span four generations and cross continents.
Today, third generation Bogdan runs GORAL from our workshop in England, with his children Dominik, Kamila and Julia, the fourth generation, working alongside him. We even get the occasional visit from the fifth generation, although they’re perhaps a little young to be stitching just yet.
As a made to order and small batch manufacturer, we’ve always believed in producing carefully, not excessively. By crafting in considered quantities, we reduce waste, avoid unnecessary stock and stay true to the approach Franciszek brought to his workbench nearly 90 years ago.
From the beginning, it was also important that every pair could be resoled. We believe well made shoes should be worn for years, gathering character, patina and history along the way. A rebuilt pair tells a story that something brand new simply can’t.
To every father who led by example without even realising it, and showed up day after day to do things right, today is for you. Happy Father’s Day from all of us at GORAL 💛
