East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise held its regular networking event at Barefoot’s newly-opened multi-million pound showroom and conference centre in the county - and visitors were politely asked to lose their shoes on entry.

The conference centre is a barefoot-only zone. All staff who work at the centre do so barefoot – although the company does provide extra fluffy socks for visitors to enable them to get to grips with the concept.

David Watson, leader of East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, organised the event. He said: “It was certainly an unusual thing to do.

“At first, people were quite shocked that they were leaving their shoes off, and it really took them out of their comfort zone, but they quickly adapted.

“What was remarkable was that being together barefoot broke down some barriers. People engaged in conversation freely and it made for a great atmosphere. It was a really innovative and dynamic day.”

The Barefoot business – home of the luxury Floor Couture brand - is the brainchild of Dawn Gibbins MBE, the current SHE international business woman of the year and a former Veuve Clicquot business woman of the year.

Dawn, ‘the barefoot entrepreneur,’ said: “It was an absolutely fabulous meeting. I definitely think barefoot networking is the way forward.”