100 YEARS FOR FIRM WITH SOLE
A Sunderland footwear institution is celebrating 100 years in the trade.
Smiths Shoe Service was opened on Silksworth Row in October 1919 by Frank Smith. His brother Ira Smith joined shortly afterwards. The business has always sold and repaired shoes and other leather goods.
In1956theytookon17yearold Alan Humphrey, who has been there ever since. Frank died aged 62 in 1956. Alan, now 80, takes up the story.
He said: “Ira approached mesoonafterIleftschooltosay that if I came into the business then one day it would be mine.
“Frank was like another father to me. He would be absolutely delighted if he’d known we were still running the business now.”
Ira died suddenly in the early 1960s. Then, as promised, Alan became the new owner. In 1983 Smiths moved from Silksworth Row to 17 Sea Road in Fulwell. It has remained there ever since.
Alan said: “I learned the repair side. When I started I was cuttingpiecesofleatherforthe home shoe repairs.
“Industrial work boots were big business. We sold thousands of pairs of clogs to industry; all leather soles and hob nails. There were no rubber soles.”
The business has endured economicuncertaintyover100 years;bothlocallyandglobally.
Alan recalls: “We lost out when the NCB provided miners with boots. It was the same withtheshipyards.Ourbiggest customer was Pyrex and they closed down.”
Other customers over the years have included Vaux Breweries and Sunderland AFC.
Alan added: “Every Saturday morning we would sell on averageagrossofstudsforfootball boots.”
Alan, born and bred in Fulwell, married Joan in 1965. He is still involved with the business, but it’s mainly run now by their son Ian, 49. He uses the same skills that Frank Smith learned.
Ian joined straight from Monkwearmouth School in 1987. Younger son Peter, 46, runs his own business in another industry.
Fatherandsonsaycustomerserviceitcentraltothebusiness’ success.
Alanexplained:“I’vetalked myselfoutofmanysales.IfIbelieve it’s not the right shoe for thecustomer,I’lltellthem.You might lose the sale today, but you’llalwaysgetitinthefuture.
“If customers say ‘I’m just browsing’ – walk away. Never stand over a customer.”