The iconic high street shoe shop that’s still thriving after 230 years
Woolworths, Chiesmans, British Home Stores, Gamleys and now Wilko – it seems the list of shops disappearing from our ever-changing high streets is endless.
But there is one store in Maidstone that has not only survived the last 230 years, but has thrived.
The Golden Boot at the bottom of Gabriel’s Hill has been owned by the same family for seven generations. Established in 1790 and first known as Randall's Boot Warehouse, it is believed to be the oldest independent shoe shop in the country and with the recent disappearance of Whatmans in Maidstone may be the oldest surviving business in the County Town. It was founded by William Randall, who passed it to his son, Frederick William Randall, in the mid-19th century. The son renamed the business FW Randall & Co, which is still the official name of the company today.
It was he who installed the 6ft tall iconic golden Wellington boot to the shop’s facade that has made the store so distinctive and given it its modern name.
FW Randall’s son-in-law Robert Martin brought the Martin name to the business. Four generations later and Edward Randall Martin is now the managing director. But if the store has been a constant presence in Maidstone for hundreds of years, that does not mean it hasn’t
changed. Originally, the business made and sold its own shoes, with the transition to retail coming after the First World War.
The cobblers’ workshop was in Palace Yard and has since disappeared.
Starting out in just one unit in Gabriel’s Hill, the store has expanded into neighbouring properties over the years and it now takes up eight units, including what had in times gone by been the Ship Inn. It now has three individual stores: men’s, women’s and children’s. There is also a warehouse at the back that supports the firm’s growing online trade.
While it has remained steadfast, the area around it has changed dramatically. The
Len Cabinet Works furniture factory, once one of Maidstone’s biggest employers, has disappeared along with the Marston and Tubbs Brewery and Lenworth Mill, replaced with what is now The Mall. Six years ago, the store diversified into clothing and now sells countrywear ranges such as Barbour and Schoffel. Next year, Mr Martin is planning a big push into running shoes. The business will be
sponsoring the Maidstone Harriers running club from January – and later the Maidstone Half-Marathon. Mr Martin said shoe fashions could come and go, but the Golden Boot would stay firm. He said: “In the 60s, heel shapes became very much influenced by Mary Quant and her designs.
“More recently the trainer has been the biggest influencer. People don’t want to wear
trainers all the time, but they became accustomed to their comfort and then expected that in their other shoes.”
The most expensive shoes in the Golden Boot currently sells at £595 a pair.
Mr Martin added: “Some people think that’s a lot but we recently had a pair of shoes brought back to us for repair – the owner had had them for 40 years. That would be £15 a year. Quality counts and the shoes last longer.”
He believes the Golden Boot has stayed relevant by avoiding the branded shoe route. He said: “It’s the easiest option just to stock the popular brand of the day.
“We prefer to offer a range of manufacturers and give customers choice.”
But Mr Martin does admit making mistakes along the way.
He said: “My father was a big train fan. He had the children’s department decorated like a station with model trains running.
“Of course the children loved it. I came in with some big ideas and had it ripped out.”
In 2019 Mr Martin had them quietly re-instated. Fortunately, he was never tempted to remove the business’s iconic boot other than to have it taken down temporarily so that it could be refurbished in gold leaf. Contemplating the store’s future, Mr Martin said: “Independents make a point of difference on the High Street and are still to be valued.”
‘We recently had a pair of shoes brought back to us for repair – the owner had had them for 40 years. That would be £15 a year. Quality counts!’