Do you take your boots/shoes to the cobblers?

[flamesparrow]

Took my boots in to get a new zip, reheeled etc last week, and got talking to the guy in there.

He was saying that its a dying profession, that there are very few around now that can fit new zips, and that people tend to just buy new.

So... do you repair or buy new?

I tend not to do either a lot , but when I get round to it I repair. A lot of that is down to me having very narrow feet though so once I find a boot/shoe that fits, I want to keep it!

yes if they are my FAVE pair of shoes/boots

I do get things soled and heeled, and once had the buckle sewn back on a pair of sandals, but apart from that mine tend to actually wear out then break in a mendable fashion.

I always take my good boots and shoes there. They know me on first name terms

Oh, random fact chucked in... found out on Saturday that my cobbler has two false legs

I tend to get stuff repaired - I have size 10 feet and all my shoes cost £££. Although it does pain me to pay £20 for new heels when people with normal-sized feet can pick up an entire new pair for that in the sales.

£20 for new heels??? It cost me £26 for new zip in knee highs, new heels and new soles

We have a great cobbler in Wetherby. DD and I both have very narrow feet, and he's taken off straps, shortened them from the inside and reattached so you still get the nice finished edge. Also, will repair split stitching etc on a proper old fashioned sewing maching. About to take my Diesel boots there to see if he can reline them, as they're on their 3rd winter but I love them, can't see them go yet!

always to reheel and resole, never had a zip broke so can't answer about that.

well, that's rip-off harrogate for ya

geekgrrl, pop in to Wetherby - Craggs - I'm sure they're not that expensive there

Rarely apart from heels on boots, but I took a pair of walking boots I've had for 20 years as the soles are split, and it was going to be £40 to replace them.

I went to woolies and bought superglue.

I take good shoes and boots.

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yorkshirelass, I always go to Timpson opposite M&S - where do you go?

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I had to whole heels replaced, they did an ok job (not brilliant). Was pretty disappointed considering the cost. Will try the train station one next time.

'the whole heels' even

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at size 10s Geekgril and sympathy. I know I have probs with my size 8s so it must be tricky to find nice shoes. how tall are you?!

5ft 10in - not that tall really. Just got very long limbs. It's better now re. shoes, used to be a flipping 'mare when I was a teenager though.

Just took a pair of boots for a new buckle and it was only £2.50. It's no wonder it's a dying art, the poor buggers don't earn anything! I always take my shoes to the cobblers - my fave boots (the ones with a shiny new buckle) are now 6 years old and will last til I die!!!!! Besides, I LOVE the smell of the cobblers, I could stand in there for hours just sniffing the air! (Does anyone agree, or am I just odd?)

gingermonkey, you're not odd, I love the smell of cobblers too (or maybe we're just both odd).

I took my boots to the cobblers last week to be re-heeled, only to find it had closed down. They'd been there years, my mum used to get her boots re-heeled there, so now I'm stuck with Timpsons.

I love proper cobblers too - I take boots and expensive shoes in for a "tidy up"!!

Ah, I'm lucky, I have a proper one (the good ones without a chain are usually near the market in whatever town you live, why???!!!) I'd be lost without the cobbler!