Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Family shop shuts after 160 years
Exclusive
Canterbury’s longest surviving family retail business is set to close after more than 160 years in the city centre.
Kennedy’s footwear in Sun Street, which opened in 1856, has been put up on the market for £750,000.
Thought to be the oldest shoe shop in the country, its 83-yearold owner, Roger Bickerton, says none of his descendents now want to take it on.
The shop was opened by Alexander Kennedy and has been in the same family ownership since the 1950s.
Mr Bickerton says his children and grandchildren, who do not live locally, are not interested in continuing in the shoe business.
He said: “I’m afraid it will be the end of an era and, of course, I feel very sad about it, and for our long-serving staff because the business is certainly still viable and we have many loyal customers.
“I am sure when the time comes to close the door for the last time it will be very emotional.”
The building cost just £700 when Mr Kennedy bought it, when shoes were made and repaired on site. They were wholesaled to outlying village shops and delivered by bike until the firm bought a van in the 1950s. It also had a contract from the Department of Trade to supply Wellington boots across the county and down as far as Rye.
Mr Bickerton joined the business in 1964 and worked with his father, Harold, until his death in 1971, when he and wife Jenny took charge of the shop.
He has retired from the shopfloor but still keeps an eye on the accounts, and says his previous employment in the insurance industry helped when he first took charge.
Now the business is largely run by business partner Debbie Howland and a loyal small team of staff.
The 2,000 sq ft Grade Ii-listed timber- framed building has medieval origins and a late 19th century shop frontage.
It is being market by Finn’s of Canterbury and is expected to close by the end of the year.