What happened to the Clarks/Webster shop?
- Thread starter kalibuzz
- Start date
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
As mentioned on these here boards, the boss is retiring and none of his family are wanting to take it on 
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
Quite amazing that it actually is closed and doesn't have one of those "closing down" stickers in the window for years like some shops have
leanderman
Street Party: July 2
tragic. not least because we now have to endure Northcote Rd for kids' shoes
editor
hiraethified
I've written a piece on my blog to commemorate this fine old Brixton institution. Hopefully we'll get a few more peopel adding their memories to this thread.
http://www.urban75.org/blog/websters-shoe-shop-closes-for-after-140-years-of-service-to-brixton/
http://www.urban75.org/blog/websters-shoe-shop-closes-for-after-140-years-of-service-to-brixton/
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
37 bus the other way to Lordship Lane to John Barnett shoeshop... much much better and a quicker easier journey! Another old school shoeshop!
Jangleballix
Better living through chemistry.
Sad to see them go even though Clarks have been made in China for some time now. Production went east, prices stayed the same and quality went south.
Chaps of this parish are directed towards Mens Traditional Shoes, 171 Camberwell Rd. SE5 0HB 020 7703 4179 where Fred the Shoe will furnish you with high quality English mens shoes at the keenest prices.
http://www.acontinuouslean.com/2009/04/09/mens-traditional-shoes-of-south-london/
Chaps of this parish are directed towards Mens Traditional Shoes, 171 Camberwell Rd. SE5 0HB 020 7703 4179 where Fred the Shoe will furnish you with high quality English mens shoes at the keenest prices.
http://www.acontinuouslean.com/2009/04/09/mens-traditional-shoes-of-south-london/
leanderman
Street Party: July 2
I loathe East Dulwich.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
you might like this particular shoe shop.. .but just a suggestion.
leanderman
Street Party: July 2
Sorry - I didn't mean to be rude!
I would rather bind my children's feet than spend money on Lordship Lane
ShiftyBagLady
Thinks she is a flower to be looked at
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Personally I find Lordship Lane and Northcote Road to be very very similar although Northcote Road seems to be wealthier. I don't know what the shoe shops are like on Northcote Road though as I avoid going there as much because I can't stand the journey there if I take the bus. I'll sometimes walk to Lordship Lane. But I do like this particular family-run, old school shoe shop. So I guess ease of transport and wanting to use that kind of shop are what take me there.
It's funny really because how you see Lordship Lane, I pretty much see Northcote Road. But then I remember Lordship Lane as a teenager and still see a bit of that when I go there. I never really went as far West as Northcote Road.
It's funny really because how you see Lordship Lane, I pretty much see Northcote Road. But then I remember Lordship Lane as a teenager and still see a bit of that when I go there. I never really went as far West as Northcote Road.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Actually.. I wonder if there's anywhere similar in Streatham.. that'd be really helpful!
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
I bought my childrens school shoes there, right through their childhoods. I'll miss that shop and Mr W. in particular.
leanderman
Street Party: July 2
Quite a lot posher. However, somehow, I find Lordship Lane more irritating.
Perhaps it's because East Dulwich people slyly use OUR Tube station
kalibuzz
downtown
Feet can get measured in the Clarks outlet in Peckham and they also usually have at least one style of school shoes available, not much choice but cheap. Or ,knowing the size, Vauxhall / Brixton market shoe sellers. No one needs Dulwich nor Northcote rd, the pity is to lose a real old school business in Brixton that actually had links into all parts of the community
happyshopper
Well-Known Member
I can recommend the Clark's outlet in Peckham, even though the service is nothing like you get at Webster's.
happyshopper
Well-Known Member
.. I mean "got".
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
actually I've heard a few people talk about this too - and bus-able also and the in-laws live there - so maybe we'll try that next.
Kalibuzz, we, like most people I imagine already buy other shoes elsewhere once we have the sizing, but I do try and make sure she has one decent pair of fitted shoes, not least because like her mother she has annoyingly wide feet - so most of the fashion shoes are too narrow for her. Where I buy them is more or less dictated by the buses or where I can walk to (or cycle under more normal circumstances).
I also think (and I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular) that discounting a family business located in an area which has become more gentrified around it - simply on that basis - or on any other basis for which it's not really responsible, is a little unfair! So despite the fact I will have to suffer the derision of going to East Dulwich.. *shock horror* to buy shoes for my daughter.. I'd be upset to see another Websters style business disappear in South London so I'll keep going I think.
Anyway, don't really want to turn this into yet another anti-snobbery post-code war thread...
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
I used to loathe Northcote Rd, until a friend pointed out that, if I'd taken a very slightly different path in life, I would have ended up like the people there.
Now I like visiting Northcote Rd because I can feel slightly superior.
Very sad to see Webster's closing. And that no-one wants to take on the business.
Leanderman, shun not the suggestion of John Barnett in Lordship Lane - it is an old skool shop, an independent family businesss, wide range of shoes, and was there long before the ED effect took hold. Also it is up the other end, past the proper hardware shop. And you can park for free in ED, rather than pay the blighted borough Tories to park round Northcott Rd.
And then you could spend the parking money by taking the children to a fabulous cafe for chi chi cake
Leanderman, shun not the suggestion of John Barnett in Lordship Lane - it is an old skool shop, an independent family businesss, wide range of shoes, and was there long before the ED effect took hold. Also it is up the other end, past the proper hardware shop. And you can park for free in ED, rather than pay the blighted borough Tories to park round Northcott Rd.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
actually it is also really handy for either Peckham Rye, Dulwich Park or Goose Green too which I like. But there's definitely lots of cake options too.
leanderman
Street Party: July 2
Ok, already. I give in. We will go to John Barnett, I promise!
And buy lots of shoes and cakes.
And buy lots of shoes and cakes.
Ms Ordinary
randompointlesschemistry
John Barnett is right at the south end of the main drag of Lordship Lane shops - plan your jouney well & you could even get there via the backstreets 
.
I was one of the people who took my child in to Websters to get her feet measured - because the staff were so great with kids - and then would often buy cheaper shoes elsewhere if I was skint
. But when I had a bit more money I always looked there first for shoes, so I don't feel too guilty, and I'd often recommend the shop to other people.
I'm sorry to see Websters go, but I suppose you can't force your offspring to run shoe shops, much as I wish it could have carried on for another generation.
.I was one of the people who took my child in to Websters to get her feet measured - because the staff were so great with kids - and then would often buy cheaper shoes elsewhere if I was skint
. But when I had a bit more money I always looked there first for shoes, so I don't feel too guilty, and I'd often recommend the shop to other people.I'm sorry to see Websters go, but I suppose you can't force your offspring to run shoe shops, much as I wish it could have carried on for another generation.
walkssoftly
Active Member
Nooooo, I've only just seen this thread! I've been getting my shoes from there for years and years, even before it was Webster's and used to be a Clarks and you had to go down stairs to get children’s shoes.
Mr W is a lovely guy, always very helpful, such a shame this has closed...
Mr W is a lovely guy, always very helpful, such a shame this has closed...
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