Cobbling together a traditional expertise
From brothel creepers to Ugg boots
, cobbler Dennis Clarke can chart his career through fashions in shoes.
And as the 71-year-old nears the end of his career, business has never been so good.
“The credit crunch has been good for us,” he says. “People are getting their shoes repaired instead of buying new ones.”
Mr Clarke took over the tiny shop in
“I wasn’t going to pay their fantastic rates and rent,” he says. “And it’s worked out well. I charge a few quid less than the repairers in the shopping centre but they’ve got carpets and nice clean counters.”
Dennis’s glass display counter is randomly stuffed with laces, inner soles and used plastic bags. Shoes ready for collection are piled high on shelves on the left of the counter. A sign warns customers that any footwear not claimed within three months will be sent for recycling. A surprising number fall into this category.
Mr Clarke started in the cobbling business in 1953, working in Blackheath, Brierley Hill and
After National Service and a spell at Smart Shoe Repairs in
After Eric died in 1983, Dennis just kept on the
Unlike most cobblers, Dennis also has a stitching machine. Nearly all soles and heels these days are stuck on but only an old-fashioned stitch will do for welted shoes. Generously he allows his mates in the cobbling world to use the machine when they need it. Airguns have taken the place of hammers for knocking nails into soles.
“But when it breaks down, you’ll find me with nails in my mouth hammering away, just like an old-time cobbler,” he chuckles.
He also uses the nails as a code to record when a pair of shoes was brought in, knocking in an extra nail in the right shoe to identify the month - under the fourth nail for April, for example - while the left shoe indicates which week of the month. “If people want to argue about when they left them, I just turn them over and look at the soles.”
Another relic in this retail gem is the cash register which is pre-digital and can only ring up single figures. He closes Sundays and half-day Thursdays and says he wouldn’t know what to do with himself if he retired.
But after 56 years in the business, it is now a consideration. He adds: “I like work, so I’ll hang on until they close me down.”
Different Types of Uggboots
Ugg boots
are available in a multitude of sizes, colors, styles and fabric options. And it is no longer necessary to know someone living “down under” in
Uggboots are made in sizes that will fit every member of the family – infants, children, women and men. Full sizes, half sizes, and all sizes in between are available, if you willing to spend the time looking. But don’t worry; it will not take long to find the perfect size. What may be difficult is picking out the perfect color.
Chestnut, black, lilac, blue, pink, brown and natural sand are just a few of the many different color options that you can find for Uggboots
. In fact, these trendy boots are so fashionable that you will want to purchase several pairs in different colors. Imagine owning different colored Uggboots to wear to match your different moods. Red is sure to be an attention-getter. Natural give the wearer that casual look. Pink is perfect for that flirty, girly look. And classic black is a color that is sure to go with everything. Uggboots are available in a variety of fashionable styles. You can purchase tall Uggboots or short. If you are unable to decide between tall or short, you can split the difference and get the three-quarter boot length. And if wearing the popular boot by day is not enough for you, they are even available in a slipper style. The latest style to hit the market is a clog style. And more styles are arriving every day.
And there are more. The tall Uggboot style can be found with additional fleece detail on the outside , making this style the ultimate in femininity. When practicality is more important looks, Uggboots are available with a tough molded sole and additional reinforcement in the heel and toe area. This style is great for wearing in slippery areas where traction and resistance can help the wearer avoid potentially dangerous falls.
And the exterior look does not end with color or with sheepskin. These boots are also available in your choice of suede or leather on the outside. A high-quality Ugg boot
will with pure Australian merino sheepskin, but imitation fabrics abound. Zippers and straps and elasticized sides are just a few of the other options that will change the look of this must-have boot.
Big, clunky soles or smooth soles, tumbled leather or milky-smooth leather, real sheepskin or an imitation, short, tall, or somewhere in between, Uggboots are the “in” thing to have in your closet this season. And you’re sure to find a pair that fits your budget.
Exclusive: X Factor stars go on Scottish shoppin
X FACTOR stars Ruth Lorenzo, Daniel Evans and Laura White went on a shopping spree before they left
And big-hearted Ruth splashed out on a pair of Ugg boots
for her fellow performer Rachel Hylton.
The stars of the reality TV show were splashing the cash at Xscape, Braehead, near
They will return to the Braehead Arena for two more sold-out shows this weekend.
The singers enjoyed a bite to eat after their shopping, and Ruth put her recent 10k training to good use as she whizzed round shops including designer store Gravity.
The Spanish singing sensation was keen to get her hands on a pair of Ugg Cardigan boots and couldn't decide what colour to buy.
It turned out generous Ruth wasn't eyeing up the boots for herself - she was looking to purchase presents for fellow performers Alexandra Burke and Rachel Hylton.
Gravity manageress Paula Strange said: "They just came into the store and it was really funny when we realised who they were.
"Laura began humming away to an Aleisha Keyes song and seemed quite shy, while Daniel was checking out the kids clothes at the front of the shop."
It was Ruth who was in her element as she checked out a variety of different-coloured Uggs
.
Paula said: "Ruth was really chatty and took it in her stride. She said she loved
"Ruth bought a green pair of size six and a half Ugg
Cardigan boots for Rachel, but couldn't find any pink ones in a size eight for Alexandra.
She said whenever she, Alexandra or Rachel see something they like, they buy it for each other. She said they got on really well and are all friends."
The star shoppers only had a few hours to spare in between rehearsals and after thirty minutes in the shop, went next door to Billabong, where Ruth bought a Local Celebrity T-shirt as worn by Robin Williams, Paris Hilton, Justin Lee Collins and a posse of other big names.
Rupert Pedley, owner of Liberance, who are partners with Billabong, said: "Laura bought the white one with Daddy's Girl and a big heart on it and said she hoped to wear it at the show.
"Ruth also bought a selection with the logos Yes It's Really Me! Play, Glitz, and Night Owl. They thought they were funny and original and ended up spending about £150 before heading into a taxi."
Alexandra also managed to spend some cash but she kept tight lipped about what was in her bag. Eoghan had earlier been on a shopping trip with Aston from boy band JLS in a the city centre of
Aston revealed: "Eoghan and I walked all the way from our hotel to HMV and then along
Eoghan added: "Yeah, I treated myself to an Apple i-Book."