Iron Lady brings boom for top handbag maker

Historic Black Country leather firm Launer London is enjoying a boom – and its largely thanks to the Queen and hit film The Iron Lady.

A long-time favourite of Her Majesty, the classic Launer handbag hit the headlines after one was seen perched on her arm during the royal wedding last year.

Now, with The Iron Lady blockbuster catapulting Mrs Thatcher's fashion sense back into the spotlight, the delighted Walsall-based firm is seeing a fresh influx of orders.

Bosses said today they have seen a 59 per cent increase in sales of their boxier-style handbags since the film, which stars Meryl Streep, was released in January.

The company is looking to expand its workforce in the year ahead to cope with demand, while four apprentices have also been taken on from Walsall College to help preserve the highly-skilled trade.

All of the handbags,which have also been sported by Camilla Parker-Bowles and Dame Judi Dench – are made in a workshop in Holtshill Lane, close to Walsall town centre and can cost between £400 and £600.

Gerald Bodmer, creative director, said today: "Obviously the association with such influential female figures in history has aided us massively.

"But we are also seeing more bespoke designs being snapped up by a real cross range of the public, especially in the 25-35 market."

Following the royal wedding last April, sales of Launer handbags rocketed by some 60 per cent and interest was so high it caused the company's website to crash for two days.

With the Queen's diamond jubilee approaching, bosses are hoping to capitalise on the royal fever once more.

Mr Bodmer said: "At the turn of the year, Launer has never been more in demand.

"The brand is looking to continue to expand in 2012 with additional sewers and machinists."

Mrs Thatcher was often seen carrying a black Launer London Diva handbag in a boxy style throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

It is the Diva handbag that is currently most in demand following the release of The Iron Lady earlier this month.