Credit crunch and footwear repairs
As any good businessman will tell you, a recession still means that there are opportunities to be had, as I discovered when I was promptly charged £5 for the cutting of a new front door key the other day. The task took my local cobbler all of twenty seconds to do thanks to his new fangled computerised key cutting machine. In the short time available, I noticed the stack of shoes behind the counter awaiting repairs.

With less money to throw about, the wartime mantra of "make do and mend" is being resurrected as a whole swathe of Britain's commuters opt to head to the nearest cobbler and have their expensive Rockports re-soled.

Amazingly enough, my local footwear rejuvenation specialist has a royal appointment - as confirmed by the large sign stating "Cobblers to the Queen!" in big letters behind the counter.

He must be good, the only remaining Bentley in town that isn't being repossessed belongs to him...

Anyway, I digress... This business opportunity is also being exploited by some of London's temporary "abode-impaired" community. They've noted that the workmanship of some of London's shoe repairers is well below par, apparently some unscrupulous cobblers will scrimp on sole material and allegedly file off the corners of the shoe accordingly.

Only yesterday I was accosted by a gentleman of the road offering me replacement footwear.

"Bigger-shoe sir?"

/coat
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 28 Jan 2009, 11:12, 5 replies)

*Spank*
*Spang*
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 11:21, closed)

Lordy...!

I'm glad I was sitting down when I read that, as it made my legs go all wobbly.

I hope you feel all dirty after that gag, because I do...

*glees*
( Pooflake braces for an onslaught..., Wed 28 Jan 2009, 11:30, closed)

D'oh!
But on a more serious note, the one piece of advice for life passed on to me by my grandfather was "Take longer strides when you walk. Your shoes will last longer that way".

He was right, you know.
( Olembe Refuses to write in this space, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 11:55, closed)

seriously
The shoe repair business is booming in Japan right now, it's even created a mini-bubble. Once things get back to normal, we'll be hearing about the shoe repair crash of 2011.
(knackerz is skinning up, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 12:52, closed)

I must be odd
but I've always taken my shoes to be repaired - I never just chuck them away when the heels get worn down.

I don't save string though. Or wrapping paper.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Wed 28 Jan 2009, 15:59, closed)