Shoe repair shops booming due to credit crunch

By Meg Jorsh

Last updated 11:03, Saturday, 11 October 2008

Cumbrian shoe repair firms are enjoying an unprecedented boom in business thanks to the credit crunch.

Andrew Twigg

Cash-strapped customers are having more shoes repaired to avoid the expense of replacing them. And it’s not just the less well off who are affected – the middle classes are especially keen to stay well-heeled.

Andrew Twigg, of Twigg Shoe Services, Carlisle, said: “It tends to be people who are used to quality footwear getting them repaired. You can still get new shoes cheaper than repairs would cost if you want to.”

Businesses are repairing work shoes more, especially farm and industrial firms. Even when shoes are badly damaged, people are less keen to give up on them.

Andrew Carney of Timpson Shoe Repairs in Workington, said: “We’ve had people coming in who are getting more done to their shoes than they previously would. It used to be just re-heeling, but now they’re getting whole soles replaced.”

And it’s not just shoes. Richard Graham, owner of Carlisle Shoe Repairs, said customers are thriftier with bags and leather goods too.

He said: “We do a lot of saddlery and bag repairs, and we’re having much more of that too. I think it’s anyone that repairs things – tailors and dressmakers will be doing better trade as well.”

But it is not all positive news.

He said: “Although people can see their sales increase, there’s also been a big increase in costs. Things like rent and electricity are costing more, and equipment can be expensive because we use a lot of oils.”

Other repair firms are more confident of cashing in. Speaking from Penrith, Graham Ellis, Northern Area manager for Shoe Care, said: “I know it’s bad, this credit crunch, but it’s not doing us any harm.

“People are obviously being canny, not spending and having shoes repaired. We’ve gone absolutely bananas.”