Searching for shoe repair services? Find the crème de la crème of cobblers in the UK in this handy guide for gentlemen.
When your shoes need a new sole or a new lease of life, don’t dispose of them. Using a cobbler to carry out shoe repair services is not only supporting local British businesses, but it’ll save you a lot of money in the long run too.
To save you all the legwork, we’ve assembled some of the finest cobblers keeping the UK on the move in this handy guide.
This traditional Durham-based cobbler provides an excellent nationwide service on all shoe repairs.
Simply opt for their repairs-by-post-service and their master craftsmen will work their magic on your favourite pair of shoes. Their range of services include:
Riding and hunting boot repairs
Zip replacements
Leather shoe repairs
Sole and heel replacements
Stitching and patchwork
Calf adjustments to boots
Plus much more.
If you’re in London, get yourself down to Paddington Street, where you’ll find James Taylor & Son. This family-run shoemaker has been offering shoe repair services since 1857 – including making necessary adjustments to assist gait issues.
They’ve got a back catalogue of notable clients, so you’ll definitely be in good company.
The Whitby Cobbler
This shoe shop and repair workshop is super charming. Buried in the heart of Whitby, they have a rustic workshop on the ground floor and a beautiful shop at the top of their famous spiral staircase.
If you’re looking for a quick turnaround, The Whitby Cobbler always aims to have your shoes ready within a maximum of 2 days. It’s worth the trip, especially if you fancy shoe shopping while you wait.
The ‘Shoefitters of distinction’ are masters of shoe repair. With over 40 years of experience and an on-site workshop, they’re able to carry out a wide range of restoration services on leather shoes.
They’re also proud members of SOMSR (Society of Master Shoe Repairers), so you know you’ll receive a quality service every single time.
If you’re not local to Hampshire, you can post your shoes for just a fiver.
No list of the UK’s best cobblers would be complete without our good friends, Kings of Somerset.
With a tagline of ‘Not just shoe repair’, this business prides itself on offering a luxury experience to all its customers. Their craftsmen are experts in patina & re-colour, recraft, polish & condition, as well as the artwork.
You can even get them to customise your favourite shoes with awesome engraving. And if that doesn’t sell it for you, perhaps the fact that the brains behind the business, Al King, was crowned the world’s best shoe repairer in 2015 will persuade you to get in touch.
Shoe maintenance tips
It’s all well and good using a shoe repair service. But if you don’t keep up with regular maintenance duties, no cobbler in the world can prolong the inevitable.
The key to shoe maintenance is to invest in the right tools for the job. This includes:
Shoeshine and colour restorer
Quality polish
A leather brush cleaner
A chemical-free shoe cleaner
For help choosing the best shoe care products, check out our previous blog here.
When you’re not scrubbing and applying solutions to your shoes, there are certain steps you can take to extend their life.
For instance, picking up steel heel protectors can prevent certain areas of your shoes from wearing out quicker.
Shoe trees are worth buying too, as they help to maintain the structure, size and shape of your footwear. Similarly, shoe horns will stop you from ruining the back of your shoes to keep them looking great and feeling comfortable for longer. From a health perspective, a shoehorn can also remove any pressure on your lower back when you bend down.
You can find more top tips like this in our blog – Repairing Shoes – 6 Ways to Extend Their Life.