About Alfreton
Alfreton is a former coal-mining town in Derbyshire. Among the population of 22,000, household income is 19% lower than the national average; residents have a significantly lower life expectancy; and more than a third of locals have no qualifications. 

This is what’s known as a forgotten town, and it’s one of around 200 spread across the UK.
Facts and figures
5 million
People living in deprived UK towns
22,000
Alfreton’s current population
19%
Lower household income in Alfreton than the regional average
A Road Map to Rejuvenation..
Through our work across education, opportunity, and community, we’re striving to make sure that Alfreton, and towns like it, can’t be forgotten.
Our founder’s family business, David Nieper Ltd., has been one of the town’s biggest employers for more than 60 years. Today the fashion company employs over 300 staff across a range of disciplines with 100% of the production process in the town. We’ve also rescued the failing local secondary school, in 5 years taking it from 1/3rd full with pupils and in Ofsted special measures to oversubscribed and Ofsted good in all categories. And through establishing the Spirit of Alfreton, a digital town square for residents, we’re helping to reignite a sense of community. This is the story so far — and it’s not over yet.
Alfreton and the Nieper Family
David Nieper hosts HRH the Princess Royal.
David Nieper and Christopher Nieper receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards.
David Nieper Ltd. launches a new apprenticeship scheme. establishes a Sewing Academy and opens a new cutting factory in Alfreton, creating accessible new roles and training opportunities for local people.
Having been sponsored by David Nieper Ltd., the struggling local secondary school reopens with a new headteacher, uniform, and name: The David Nieper Academy. Read more about the Foundation’s work with the David Nieper Academy here.
Christopher Nieper Education Trust is formed to support the local secondary school. Read more about David Nieper Academy here.
David Nieper Academy is opened with 341 students.
David Nieper Ltd. makes its 100,000th garment — this, like the thousands before it, was handcrafted by the people of Alfreton.
The David Nieper Academy opens its new, £15m state-of-the-art school building, supporting 850 children with superb facilities and equipment.
The Academy’s Sixth From Business and Enterprise Centre opens, boosting education and career prospects for young people through BTEC qualifications, work experience, employer assignments and community connections.
David Nieper Ltd. becomes first British fashion manufacturer to feature in The Sunday Times ‘Best 100 Companies to Work For’ list.
David Nieper Ltd celebrates 10 years of sponsoring University of Derby Fashion & Textiles programme.
Sophie, HRH Duchess of Edinburgh — then the Countess of Wessex — visits Alfreton to formally open the David Nieper Academy and tour the David Nieper Ltd. sewing rooms.
Christopher Nieper is awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Years’ Honours List for services to UK Manufacturing and Apprenticeship Development.
David Nieper Ltd. is awarded British Manufacturer of the Year 2020 and Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year 2020 by Make UK.


The Christopher Nieper Foundation is established to bring together, share, and grow the work of David Nieper Ltd. across education, community, and employability.
With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, David Nieper Ltd manufactures PPE and equips 40,000 NHS staff. The sewing rooms begin manufacturing PPE; the Academy’s design and technology team designs and produces face visors for Derbyshire care homes; and the Spirit of Alfreton is established to support the local community.
David Nieper Ltd. receives the Queen’s Award for sustainability, putting Alfreton on the map for its environmentally conscious, British manufacturing.
David Nieper Academy achieves Ofsted ’Good’ rating in all categories rating, and is 6th most oversubscribed school in Derbyshire.
Stonebroom Nursery & Primary school become part of Christopher Nieper Education Trust.
The Spirit of Alfreton turns three years old, seeing over 5,000 website views in that month alone, with an organic reach of 23,913. Read more about the Spirit of Alfreton here.
Christopher Nieper Foundation forms strategic partnership with University of Derby to support Education, Community & Skills.
Becoming the blueprint
The Foundation aims to give people a sense of place, pride and purpose, reversing decline and rejuvenating towns and opportunities. Through investing in education and bringing communities and businesses together, we can give people what they need to grow and thrive.
By sharing what we’ve learned in Alfreton, we’re creating the blueprint for forgotten towns across Britain. From boosting employability to reducing isolation, we’re focusing on what these towns really need to prosper.
