END OF AN ERA
‘It’s heartbreaking,’ cry shoppers as ‘iconic’ family-run shoe shop shuts its doors after 120 years on high street
The letters “T&M” have an emotional meaning for the shop owner
HEARTBROKEN shoppers are mourning the closure of an "iconic" family-run shoe store which is closing after 120 years.
Punters were left in shock after T&M Rickard Shoe Repairs in Wigan, Manchester, announced that they would be pulling down the shutters for the final time.
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The popular shoe shop is run by husband-and-wife team Michael Rickard and Ann, both aged 66.
Framed pictures inside the iconic store show faded black-and-white images from the long history of the business, whose origins date back to 1905.
But sadly T&M Rickard's time is soon coming to an end in a matter of months.
However, customers still have a few months to make the most of the old-time shoe repairers' shop as the Rickards have pledged to keep the shop going until just before Christmas.
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The shop is full of heritage, with the letters “T&M” standing for the names of Michael’s parents, Thomas and Margaret.
Michael had a Saturday job there from the age of five but didn't enter the trade full-time until he was in his 20s, as his dad insisted his children should start by making their own way in life.
Michael told : "I'm quite emotionally attached to the business. I come from a line of shoemakers and repairers, who've been in business since 1905.
"I've worked for 50 years at some kind of job.
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"There's a big psychological wrench in closing the shop. I've not done much else and there's a lot of contact with the public."
Michael and Ann don't just help repair shoes for customers.
The husband and wife team help with orthopaedic shoe repair jobs such as medical "lifts" on footwear for disabled people.
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They also carry out repairs to leather goods - including luggage and golf bags – key cutting, even repairing horse shoes.
Rickard's also specialises in making clogs, something which other shoe shops don't offer.
Although demand has dropped off, they are still asked to make or repair them.
The sturdy, almost indestructible wooden footwear is still popular with wagon drivers and those working on allotments.
Michael added: "We do a lot of work which no-one else offers. There's quite a few that need that service.
"That's the one that gets me – what are those people going to do?
"Others haven't got the traditional skills. So many people have been coming in to say 'I'm so sorry you're closing, what are we going to do now?'
"I'm proud of that heritage. It's something that's going to come to an end with us. It's a bit sad, but all good things must come to an end."
Now, Michael and Ann are hoping to enjoy their retirement and spend time with their three grandchildren.
Regular customer Nawal Masim, 52, said: "It's really sad. It's like losing an old trade.
"I've been coming here for 20 years and it's heartbreaking. There's no-one like them around."
HIGH STREET WOES
Several major shops and chains are closing dozens of branches in 2024.
Some stores will be replaced or relocated while others will disappear from the high street forever.
Card retailer Clintons is also set to close a number of branches, including those in Bournemouth and Kettering.
Argos, Next, Jack Wills and Poundland have all all shut selected branches this year.
It comes as 6,000 retail outlets have brought down the shutters since 2018, according to the British Retail Consortium.
The trade association's chief executive Helen Dickinson OBE blamed the closures on "crippling" business rates and the impact of coronavirus lockdowns.
Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Several big retailers have fallen into administration in the past year, including Wilko, Paperchase, and most recently, The Body Shop and Ted Baker.
Boots announced it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
However, it's not all bad news for the high street, as several other retailers and hospitality venues have plans to expand.
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Beer giant Heineken announced plans to invest £39million to help reopen 62 previously shuttered British pubs.
Aldi has announced that it will open 35 new UK stores.
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