School shoes - shops closed

[CoRhona]

Is it just me who didn't realise Clarks and Sports Direct are both temporarily closed?? Had to order online and pay next day delivery (shoes falling apart, only told this morning ) but obviously hoping size is correct.

AIBU to think actually school shoes should be on the essentials list?!

They are available via supermarkets or other shops that are open. Or you can order a gauge online?

How old is your child? Do you not regularly clean their shoes? This helps them to last longer as well as giving you a chance to check their condition.

Could you send a note to school explaining that you will get your child's feet measured and buy new shoes as soon as shoe shops reopen?

I highly recommend having a foot gauge at home to measure DC's feet for next time, Clarks sell one.

Shoe shops should be open. Shoes are essential. Especially in winter. The logic of the closures is so frustrating. We can buy winter pansies from garden centres but not shoes for DC when the soles split?

@Cornishmumofone old enough to clean their own shoes.

I would have just politely explained to school that they were going in home shoes until the shops were open again.

I actually bought back up shoes pre lockdown this time, as I thought DS would wear through his in the next few weeks. I was very pleased with myself when I produced them last week... I learned from my mistakes! Fewer bread mixes, more children's clothes and shoes!

No, ITA with you OP! It’s totally unreasonable imo, that shoe shops are closed! DD1 used to grow so fast as a toddler, she needed new shoes every 6 weeks.

Hadn’t thought of this

We had to buy new shoes for all dc when last lockdown was lifted

Yes it’s a ball ache. My one year started walking last week and I can’t get him shoes, nor do I know what size he is!

YABU. Staff who work in shoe shops shouldn't have to put themselves at risk when there are other options available - like online or supermarkets.

Plus that's just one other place people would congregate as a way to 'get out' like they're doing with garden centres.

We had an issue with this too. Not keen at all on the idea of supermarket shoes!! Shoe shops should be essential IMO - at the very least children's ones! We ended up buying three sizes online to try out but now I've got to go to the post office to send two back 🙄

Do you not regularly clean their shoes? This helps them to last longer as well as giving you a chance to check their condition.

Bloody hell, that was quick! 2 posts in and the OP is being judged for not cleaning shoes enough 😂👍🏻. Yes I think whilst schools are open uniform & shoe shops are essential.

If they are old enough to clean their own shoes, surely they still don't need their feet measuring ?

It was widely know about this lockdown and yes, I did expect the shops you name to be closed, as they were in the last lockdown but you had enough notice to go and buy some.

It's just you OP.

Sports Direct being closed permanently would be a good thing in my view apart from sympathy for those who lost their zero hours contracts. Mike Ashley being in business at all is a national shame.

Well, in today's climate I think I'd make do with the supermarket offerings.

@RoomOfRequirement

YABU. Staff who work in shoe shops shouldn't have to put themselves at risk when there are other options available - like online or supermarkets.

Plus that's just one other place people would congregate as a way to 'get out' like they're doing with garden centres.

Depends some shops would prefer to be open despite risk

In any case when we went they had very good mitigation - movable screens etc

I don't think you need a measure. I normally buy a few in the next size up online, but I am lucky enough to be able to bankroll that.

I do go for the same style if online though as you never know if another style wil lfit OK.

I agree - this lockdown is ridiculous

I feel your pain as we had this on Wednesday last week. 11 year old son came home with sole hanging off his shoe. Managed to order next day delivery and was charged £7.99 for the pleasure and he went to school with trainers on and a note explaining. They fit and he liked them so all was good. However also last week I couldn't buy a pack of knickers for my 13 year old daughter or a light bulb for her room from Tesco as they weren't deemed essentials and the whole floor was out of bounds. This week they have 25% sale on clothing and it's all open again!! Madness

Feet still grow til what, mid to late teens?!

(last post was to Tigger001) and yes, we've also just spent £8 on next day delivery

Feet still grow til what, mid to late teens?!

But you don't go to Clarks with a late teen to get their feet measured normally, they know if their shoes are tight and you buy the next size up ?

you had enough notice to go and buy some.

Disappointing when people have no idea of the dire straits many families find themselves in currently. If you're on a limited income, you can't afford to buy things in advance.

@Hayeahnobut

you had enough notice to go and buy some.

Disappointing when people have no idea of the dire straits many families find themselves in currently. If you're on a limited income, you can't afford to buy things in advance.

If the OP was is that much financial difficulty she'd buy them from Asda and not Clarks.

You can download a measuring gauge from the start rite website, I had to do it in the first lockdown, can't remember what size it goes up to though

Do you not regularly clean their shoes?

This gave me a good laugh!!

DS in year 9 and I’m yet to clean a pair of school shoes!!