Two North East businesses have come together to launch a unique shoe concession.
Footwear retailer Charles Clinkard has teamed up with Durham-based Hand Dyed Shoe Co to launched a concession within its Leeds store.
The concession is in a new space called The Rooftops, set on the second floor within the Charles Clinkard Leeds store, which opened this week.
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The Hand Dyed Shoe Co was launched by Simon Bourne six years ago as way to channel his love of working with leather.
Before setting up on his own, he had been working for a small furniture manufacturing business and would use offcuts left on the factory floor to make small bags, wallets and belts.
He decided to take his talents to the next level after being inspired by French shoe and boot maker Berluti, and now crafts shoes using pigment-based dyes which are of a quality comparable to that of the Parisian manufacturer.
Mr Bourne - winner of the newcomer of the year award at the 2019 Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside Business Awards - now offers a bespoke, one-hour shoe-making experience which includes fitting and design with over 30 different shoe styles to choose from.
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The one-hour consultation service includes a four-point fitting for length, heel to arch, width, and instep while customers gain expertise from their fitter on the history of different styles of shoes.
Customers can then design and visualise their shoe with 3D software, allowing them to customise everything from the sole, the finish, the colour, and the monogram. Each pair of shoes is then individually handcrafted, and takes four to six weeks.
Crafted to last, each shoe also comes with detailed aftercare advice and a repair service is also available. Retail prices range from £299 up to £450 depending on the chosen design and includes the one-hour consultation, and gift vouchers are also available.
Mr Bourne said: “It’s truly an honour to be partnering with Charles Clinkard to launch our first ever concession and be sold alongside the likes of renowned brands Loake and Barker.
“We chose the Leeds store because the concession will be in an area of the store that’s hidden away, and we hope this will bring customers a sense of exclusivity when they visit us.
“I will be on hand until Wednesday October 6 to personally conduct shoe fittings before we hand over to store manager Mark Goward, who is equally looking forward to this new partnership.”
Tim Payne, managing director at Teesside firm Charles Clinkard, said: “We’re proud to support another independent North East brand, Hand Dyed Shoe Co. to launch its first ever concession at our Leeds store.
“The customer experience has always been at the centre of Charles Clinkard’s values, so we are delighted to partner with Hand Dyed Shoe Co. to bring customers a truly unique service which allows them to design their own made to measure shoes.”