I do love a good local shop front, so was in awe when I saw Baddeleys…read more It's very old fashioned looking and has a gorgeous navy blue, (or is that royal blue? I always get my blues mixed up) coat of paint all over it. Shoe repairs aren't something I'm ever in need of, but key cutting is because i'm always losing them. I nipped down the road and was greeted by a friendly man on his own in the shop, he cut a spare for my door key in a matter of minutes and sent me on my way a few quid lighter. I could have gone to a Timpson's in Morrissons but when there are wonderful local businesses to support it makes no sense to go to a slightly soulless chain. They also offer and engraving service.

Remember the fairy tale of The Elves and the Shoemaker? Well, when I walked in here, I was almost…read morecertain that this was the Shoemaker. The shop is a tiny little shop, with leather in a pile, a heavy duty sewing machine, and many finished shoes in racks. All the shoes are handmade, and he has been making these for 20 years. What an amazing skill, and I am so happy that this shop is still around. It's a great shop to get sandals, slippers, and doc martenesque shoes where you get to meet the man who makes them! He does repairs too, so bring on down your old shoes and him and his elves will fix them up good. If you need a good boot, or some sandals for the summer, don't go to the high street; come here instead for something different!

If ever there was a shop that is as it was a hundred years ago, this is it. A prime example of a…read moretraditional skill taught, learnt and being used to earn a decent living. Phil Wilkins is said labourer and The Handmade Shoe Co is his business set up through the traditional working of leather. Having been in the game for some twenty seven years Phil has set up shop in central Bristol in his shop space / working space. Being something of a small time craftsman myself I have from time to time popped in to get information and advice. The shoes, bags, belts and leather accessories are all made on site and of good quality. The shoe designs are unique and can be made to measure even the tiniest of paws and the biggest of loafers. This is also a good place to bring any leather goods that need repairing. A good place indeed to see people, not machines, hard at work doing what they love.

Great to see bay tree shoe repairs open again under new management since Feb 2010 and offering so…read moremany services to the community such as watch repairs, clock repairs, dry cleaning, duvets laundered , engraving, patching and stitching, Key Cutting, replacement watch batteries , replacement watch straps,

I have been using this shop for years. The staff (owners) are really helpful if you need anything,…read morejust ask. Think they are the only place to get keys cut in town now, and they are very reasonably priced for shoe repairs too. Great for saving that pair of shoes you cant bear to part with. Bags etc have always been good quality and lasted me ages (normally only get a new one because I get bored of them! lol. Love this shop!

This is a shop inside the historic Cardiff Market. An old Victorian building that offers products…read moreand services from local traders. But poor, old Yan & Sons. I say this because if you enter the Cardiff Market from the St Mary's Street end then you'll go past a big Timpson branch who offer shoe repairs and key cutting and various other services. If you walk a little further and into the main market you'll see Yan & Sons perched on the left hand side offering much the same service. They're just smaller. OK, a lot smaller. But there's an up side to their size and flow of custom - a quicker, more personal service for you. They offer a while-you-wait service for their key cutting and shoe repairs and various other bits and bobs they do, which isn't really an issue seen as you're in the Cardiff Market, one of my favourite place to wander around. As with all the traders in the market, they are long-time experts in their field, so they will offer advice and guidance that you can trust.

You don't have to be Carrie Bradshaw to know the pains of broken heels. The love you feel for…read moreinanimate objects can be as strong whether you choose brand-spanking-new Manolo Blahniks or car boot sale treasure. Come to think of it, that could be a metaphor for life. This heel bar is owned and run by a friendly pair of brothers Andrew and John. They can fix up your favourite shoes and cut you a spare pair of house keys while you wait, or you can do your grocery shopping or grab a cuppa in the market's many cafes and then nip back for them. Amazing. I've also got a strange fascination with the noises that key cutting machines make too, not sure why, I just do.

Great shop and friendly staff I've been getting my shoes and…read moretrainers built up here since 1991 its the only thing that stops me from walking in circles .....

Always go here for key cutting and shoe repairs. Very good service.read more

I have had a pair of Loake Brogues repaired with a full sole and heel. It was a perfect job and…read morethe shoes truly look as good as new.

Westbury-on-Trym is teeming with carpenters, scaffolders and other such labourers walking around in…read morepaint-splattered overalls reading Nuts magazine and drinking milky sugary tea. It's a lad's town. The guys working in A and J are no exception except that they are always actually working. As with many of these sorts of shops, a whole host of services are offered from standard (and very speedy) key cutting to engravings and repairs. This place is a family run business and they've been doing what they do, passing the skills down, for generations. As a result they're very good at what they do. One additional point I like about this place is their collection bins outside for old shoes. Everyone always has a couple of old pairs knocking around and recycling these offers a sustainable way to carry on fixing!

A good service delivered on time and better at non standard tasks than the chain shoe repairersread more

I was walking past this shop in the summer when my husband had to visit the town for work. My…read moreattention was captured by the great quantities of coloured wool and silks and so on, as these cobblers sell lots of different stuff too at great value. The heels on my favourite shoes were badly worn down, and I was going to have to chuck the shoes out. But as I glanced up at the sign, I realised that we had a cobblers here. While I stood in stockinged feet in the shop, chatting to the very friendly lady who runs it, her husband took my shoes through to the back and mended them. A true craftsman, he did a fantastic job (they're still in perfect shape today), with proper old-fashioned courteous service. And so much cheaper than buying new shoes. I'm very pleased still.

Ideal for watch batteries and shoe repairs. really nice staff - very helpful and amenable.read more

Oh do you know I love this shoe repair shop. It is not only a shoe repair shop, it cuts keys,…read moreengraves, takes passport photos, repairs and replaces batteries in watches, sells watch straps and key rings and all matter of things. However its the staff that make this place so special. They are friendly cheeky chappies who brighten your day with their banter. I have even had things done for free especially when it takes them seconds to do and this encourages me to return time after time. If a business is failing and the staff dont know to treat the customers make them visit Timpsons, they will learn a thing or two!