H.J. Cave & Sons, based in Doncaster for the last 15 years, having moved its main office from London, is being put up for sale by owners Laura and Glen Bluff.

A producer of hand-made, traditional steam trunks and leather handbags for some of the worlds most famous celebrities, it is now subject to two rival bids from overseas.

“The pandemic has not stopped the enormous appetite for luxury goods sales and as such this has generated substantial foreign interest in the brand. It will be a sad loss to the local economy but will allow us to focus on other local projects” said Mr Bluff.

“We have two foreign buyers interested and we will insist whoever wins the bidding to keep the independent local artists that we use from across Doncaster. We mainly receive orders from China, the Middle East and the USA. People are always surprised to find out the worlds oldest leather goods business is based here.”

The company was originally founded in 1839 in London and has gone on to inspire Louis Vuitton and Guccio Gucci.