Craggs Shoerepairs are successfully bucking the trend of the current economic downturn.  With an effective business model, allied to methodical commercial practice, this family organisation based in and around Leeds should serve as an inspiration to others with similar ambitions.  Formed back in 1933 they have built solidly upon the initial boot and shoe repairing offered to form a modern, dynamic company.

Maria Forbes and Paul Craggs (the second generation of the “Craggs” family) along with Maria’s son Tom have carved themselves an effective niche in Yorkshire through the sales of high quality footwear and accessories backed up with high quality shoe repairs, from excellent locations.  Presently they have shops in The Headrow, Crossgates and Moor Allerton in Leeds, as well as in Wetherby and their new premises in Ilkley.

Only the best British brands are sold – Trickers, Church, Loake Bros., Grenson and Cheaney.  Also extremely popular are the range of colourful Hunter Wellington boots.

The company has been in the process of refitting their shops to reflect their carefully garnered company image.  At the same time they have been updating their shoe repair machinery from Standard Engineering Ltd.  The intention is to have identical sets of machinery in each of their shops.  This will aid the operation in many ways.  For example, employees can easily move between shops, confident that they will know the machinery they will be working on.

The older, noisier, dustier machinery will be replaced by new equipment, built and supplied to Craggs’s specifications.  The consumables for the machines will also be standardised.  For example, instead of ordering several different types and sizes of scouring bands, they will be able to stick to a specific size.  The same will go for their cutters and brushes, a major buying advantage.

Craggs are not merely content to improve the quality and quantity of their shops to attract increased footfall.  They also have an excellent online service available at www.craggsshoesonline.com, where they offer the full range of their products and services.

All of this goes to show that when a company is prepared to work to an effective business model, do their market research and study and invest in quality stock and machinery, it takes more than a global recession to hold you back!