Lee Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 received this email TODAY Hi Sounds great but I cannot find any shoe repair shop that is taking in the National Shoe Repair Week part in my area Can you help I am looking in Tameside Denton Hyde Stalybridge Ashton under Lyne Dukinfield Manchester Stockport All to no avail Can you help Best Regards Tony Sales Development Customer Operations Manager From the ROYAL MAIL. can anyone help! I would hate to have to tell him to post them! Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi Lee Tony Elliot contacted us via our website as well. Unfortunately, you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink!!! Too many short sighted buggers mess it up for the rest So dissapointing when we're getting such great PR, it really bugs me Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 I have emailed Tony back, and have offered to repair BOTH pairs of his shoes FREE if I cannot find a repairer for him, so come on gents in these areas any takers? (I have also asked him questions on his experiences with the repairers, which if answered should prove interesting reading) Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Again not wanting to seem NEGATIVE but is this a reflection on what the country as a whole thinks of this years campaign? Only asking a question here so dont BITE my head off please. Im hoping its not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi Guys, This just a thought, Do these guys in these areas know it's National shoe repair week? I've been in the trade 30 years, and if it wasn't for this forum & Keith sending me the cutting edge mag (cheers Keith) I myself wouldn't have known it was National shoe repair week. Maybe they are members I don't know....It was just a thought. There are hundreds of repairers out there who keep themselves to themselves and are totally unaware of whats going on in the trade!! I myself was guilty of this (if guilty is the right word) . Alot of them wouldn't give a damn. But if you can get them aware of this forum, I'm sure there will be an upturn in interest. This forum is the latest weapon to help revive the independant shoe repairer, and believe me it is only a baby yet!!! It has given me loads more interest in whats happening around me, and made me feel I want to put something towards it. My message is: Hang on in there, this forum will take off in a massive way guaranteed.. The show at sandown will produce new members, and they will in turn tell other friends in the trade. Believe me nobody knows about this forum yet!!!! I do know how these things work and what it takes, and I know success will follow I know things can look dissapointing, but don't look just on the black side, great things will come from this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 i have to echo part of uk's sentiments. after talking to three other repairers near here, not one was aware it was national shoe repair week. again, as uk suggested and it also seems to have merit in the fact that none of these shoe repairers subscribe to cutting edge. our local supplier has shown no interest in the scheme and indeed if he does know has not informed anyone that i am aware of, myself included. and again, (and Lord knows what this says for the rest of us) most of the shoe repairers i know don't even own a PC, never mind know how to operate one so they're not even aware of the forum. maybe it's time we set up a database of every shoe repairer in the country so that those currently out of the loop can be informed of what's going on and also what they may be missing. a challenge i may take on in the new year, albeit it will require some help from everyone on here and from our suppliers in being able to give me information on who's where and what they do as not all repairers will be in the yellow pages for me to nick their details! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stuart.rst Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Lee, I have been working with Kieth and the other guys on the Cutting Edge committee to make this project a success. On the publicity side, we have had numerous press release coverage in local papers. plus national paper advertising and coverage on both local radio and BBC radio two. With regards to your question about where to find a shoe repairer that is taking part. We cannot answer this question. We have had numerous articles in the Cutting edge magazine, aimed at making the trade aware of what is going on. This last issue included posters for shop front use. We also included a pre- written press release for the shoe repairer to send to their own local news paper. As an organisation, I do not think that Cutting Edge can do a lot more to promote the Shoe Repair Week. We are all keen to see the trade flourish, hopefully even those who have not put up the posters will feel able to take part if a member of the public walks into their shop with one of the special offer vouchers. I hope that the week will proove a success. I would be interested in feed back. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Great to see your posting at last Stuart, welcome on board! Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Blimey Stuart, you managed to log on Did you do it all on your own To clear up a few misconceptions. No one has to 'subscribe' in order to receive the magazine. Some years ago, ALL the databases of the suppliers were amalgamated and presented to the editor of 'Cutting Edge magazine. At that time, anyone dealing with a supplier in the UK, and beyond I might add, Holland and Belgium, would have received the publication. Robert Allwood, the editor, has relied on the suppliers and the individual repairer to inform him of any new start up customers in order to increase the database. From that, you can tell where this plan might have fallen short as it relies upon the eindividual Companies to update them and with the commercial pressures that most of us have to put up with nowadays, it can get missed. Therefore, to anyone who does not receive 'Cutting Edge' , which is FREE and paid for by the suppliers, please contact the following Company. 'The Thinking Agency' 0113-289-0000 and ask to be placed on the database to receive the publication. Lee, you may be able to put this up as a sticky somewhere? I agree with UK900 that this Forum will get bigger and better and maybe even, influential, in the future. The ball my friends is firmly in YOUR court. Lets hope that the word spreads about this weeks events and we find that it becomes something that you cannot afford to be outside of, rather than something that you have to think about partaking in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 As I have mentioned in another post. and as uk and ascap have also pointed out, too many do not get the magazine. Thompson directory will give you all the repairers in the UK. I had that list 6 years ago, almost 2000 nationwide. Bet Cutting Edge has not got that quantity on record! Mail shot to each one will cost but ensures readership. I have also heard that they have to be a member of the organisation to receive the goodies so the message was not clear to all. Idiots guides are the only way of getting through to all. (thats not saying that anyone is an idiot, just that the instructions are not clear enough). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 As I have mentioned. THERE IS NO MEMBERSHIP INVOLVED WITH CUTTING EDGE FOR THE REPAIRER. It is FREE Hugh, what goodies are you refering too? The only membership requirment is for those who wish to Exhibit in order to prevent the Exhibition turning into a boot fair! We are proud of what we ahve achieved with the exhibition in recent years and do not wish to go backwards. Our trade magazine 'Cutting Edge' has always requested feedback from ALL those in the trade that wish to have a Forum to vent their opinions.. however, if it is not reaching those that wish to offer a contribution, then something has to be done. But first, help yourselves by registering your interest with the magazine. If anyone needs to do this and has problems then PM me and I will see that you are included in the next round of the magazine and the future. The mailing list is currently in excess of 4000 This includes many key cutters, engravers and associated trades. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Membership of SOMSA etc was what I was refering to, and the goodies would be the display items. There is a fixation that the Mag & Societies are as one and many do not wish to get involved with societies. (I am all for them by the way). You as a company may be satisfied with the way the exhibitions are going and dont like the car boot image but many think that the suppliers are in cahoots to keep others out of the exhibition. I personally would prefer an open market place or car boot image as you call it, I am vehemently against cartels deciding who can or cant exhibit. What I have witnessed in recent years amounts to restrictive practices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Thankfully Hugh, your opinions are very much in the minority and we will continue down the successfull route that we are currently on. Last year, Trend trophies exhibited and were lambasted, by the visitors of the show, because their stand consisted of nothing but box's of trophies, no appeal whatsoever. they were asked to make more of an effort with their stand. their reaction, they will not be at Sandown, their decision and loss I'm affraid Put quite simply, for those that bother to turn up, once a year, it is a pleasant experience and the feedback on the quality of the exhibition is very positive, especially in recent years. There is more to do as far as attracting exhibitors is concerned, but they must be trade related. Pure and simple. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 I entirely agree that the exhibitors should be trade related Keith and by the way I'm not in the minority, only a minority as far as the committee is concerned. Maybe there is a call for the Magazine readers and forum members to decide who exhibits, from a list of applicants of course, after all, it's they who you are trying to attract, is it not? On a lighter side I would like to see some one selling Hot dogs orChips, or curries so I can get something to eat or drink as the last 5 venues have been bloody awful as far as catering goes. (my experience only, I'm sure all the suppliers were well catered for)he says sarcasticaly ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 well catered for, my backside overpriced and undercooked! keep up the good work with the exhibitions though keith, i'm trying my damned hardest to try and attend this year's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 There will be hot and cold snacks at Sandown and always has been not sure where you were you got your info from Hugh? As far as exhibitors are concerned. We have 66 members of 'Cutting Edge' suppliers. Less than 40 choose to exhibit. Maybe you should ask those that choose not to come why that is the case! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 After my mail to tony yesturday I received this reply, an interesting customer feed back read, and one he has given me permission to publish. > Hi Lee, Thanks for your speedy reply. > I am an avid reader of the Mail, Mail on Sunday and I noticed the offer > in the corner of the page three weeks ago, I saved the three tokens and > then yesterday I made a trip around a large number or shops a 4/5 mile > radius to no avail. All the repair shops were unaware of the "National > Shoe Repair Week". I showed them the tokens and they were quite amused by it but still no offer of the two for one! (Much to my dismay.) > I came across your site by tapping in "National Shoe Repair Week" into > Google and hey presto, I came across your site which I found very > interesting to see the percentages of reaction to the initiative. > I would have thought that most shoe repair suppliers would have jumped > at the offer for the week to draw back the general public to the High > street shops rather than doing what most people do like throwing old > shoes away and purchasing new, cheap shoes from the market etc. By > giving the offer it would make people realise that the age old trade of > repairing shoes has not ended. > As you can see, I work for Royal Mail as a manager and tidy shoes go hand > in hand with the job. You cant beat a lovely pair of leather shoes with new > leather soles and nicely polished heels. > > I will keep trying through the week to see how I go on. > > What you could do is to go through the Internet and search for Shoe Repair > shops in any area, call them as a general public punter to see the reaction > for yourself > > Your offer to repair my shoes is very commendable and I would love to take > up your offer. > > Hope to hear from you soon > > PS, Where are you based > > PPS, Like the web site > > Best Regards > Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoe String Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 All Timpson Shoe Repair shops are honouring the vouchers if an independent is not taking part in the area. They are not advertising the fact but they only have to take the coupon in. Hope this helps. It is sole destroying that a campaign which features on the Steve Wright Show, Ken Bruce show and many local radio stations as well as publications including the Mail and Footwear Today coupons has not been supported better by the independent trade. If anything it has shown me that to run such an event in the future we do infact need a National such as Timpsons taking far more of a front line role as the independents have not taken the advantage in this case. I do know this comment is not relevent to everyone. I hope many are wishing they had taken part and will encourage Cutting Edge that a re-run will be worth our efforts. Regards Caroline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Lets not forget that Timpsons is in fact an "independent" chain, and has in fact saved the campaign from getting egg completely on its face! If any inquiries do come to any off you via email, you can use the Timpson store locator http://www.timpson.co.uk/highstreet-stores/locations.asp To find a branch near to the inquiring customer. Since I want to give emails a quick responce I have offered all who have contacted me a mail order service, but since this could add to the cost, have also included details of there local Timpson branch. Thanks to James who contacted me from a petrol station this morning Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoe String Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 True, thanks for the correction. True meaning National distribution of outlets. Thanks again I hope everyone gains new customers, whether taking part or not. The campaign is certainly lifting the awareness of the whole industry and I for one think that is a success in itself. With heads together I think we could start a think box for ideas of running the same kind of event in 2008. Caroline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Ah, some support at last Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 The least I would EXPECT from the Chairperson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 well, if nowt else, we can either shut up or put up our ideas on how we can collectively have a better and more involved 'national shoe repair week' in years to come. i've read all of the posts on this subject and i have to say that i agree with a very large part of them, from both sides of the fence. (and why are we split into two camps on this anyway, the committee versus us? surely we should be working together as a team ) granted, mistakes are bound to be made, it's a new project and it's only through cutting your teeth that you can truly see how hard you can bite. it seems we all have something to contribute, instead of moaning at each other let's try and turn our negatives into positives and try to make neext year's more pleasing for everyone involved. it's highly commendable that the committee put so much time and effort in, of course they stand to gain from it, they have to, they're all in business. but they can only gain from it if WE do. regards to you all, rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 There will be hot and cold snacks at Sandown and always has been not sure where you were you got your info from Hugh? As far as exhibitors are concerned. We have 66 members of 'Cutting Edge' suppliers. Less than 40 choose to exhibit. Maybe you should ask those that choose not to come why that is the case! Keith Speaking from experience Keith not info gathered, one caterer ran out of supplies at 10.30am and took over an hour to replenish stocks. Last year I stood in a queue for half an hour and then was told I had to wait 15 mins if I wished to order a hot meal. I could see that I would also have trouble getting a seat at a table due to gossips hogging eating places I settled to stand and eat a Muffin and a drink of orange £4.95 and I wont use the words to describe what I thought of the price. We are not all on expences Keith or put the receipt in the Till. Many take their families with them for the day so how they fared I can only guess. You hit the Nail on the Head with your comment on suppliers not wishing to exhibit. It's the society thing all over again, if you are not in the secret funny handshake tribe then you have no chance of exhibiting, restrictive practices as I have said before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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