As one cobblers shop closes, another one opens in town

After nearly 18 years on Driffield’s high street, Peter and Helen Shawcross will soon vacate their premises.

Having traded as Driffield Cobbler at 72 Middle Street South since late 2004, the couple will no longer operate in the town centre from 2023.

The couple will continue with their locksmith business, serving private callouts and regulars, as well as contracts with car dealerships for car keys.

The shoe repairing part of the business has been sold to Fletcher’s Cobblers which opened on Monday 3rd October at 60 Market Place.

Peter, who trained as a shoe repairer more than 25 years ago, became a self-employed locksmith when he founded Lock Express in 2000.

He and Helen took on the lease on Middle Street South when former cobblers, Multiserve, went under four years later.

“I earned my City and Guilds qualification in 1996 and worked as holiday cover in the area at local cobblers and locksmiths,” Peter told the Wolds Weekly.

“I founded Lock Express in 2000 and then Helen and I took on our current lease in late 2004, buying the shoe repairing equipment from Multiserve, where I’d worked part-time previously.

“It was a real family effort, with our parents and siblings helping out to decorate the shop in time for a December opening.

“The locksmith side of the business went on the back burner slightly, as we were inundated with shoe repairs.

“To be honest, little has changed in terms of our service and products in that time, but unfortunately the time has come where it’s too difficult for us to focus enough attention on running a shop.”

In the last two years, Helen has undergone emergency spinal surgery, whilst Peter has become the primary carer for his parents.

When Fletcher’s Cobblers made their intentions known to open a shop in Driffield, owner Mike came to an agreement to purchase the shoe repairing business from Peter and Helen.

“Fletcher’s Cobblers told us that it had taken the lease on Market Place and made us an offer for the shoe repairing side of our business,” explained Peter.

“We negotiated a mutually beneficial sale and we wanted to sell to an independent business which we believe will give a better service to the people of Driffield.

“It was also the right time for us to sell due to our personal commitments.

“We managed to contact customers who we have phone numbers for to let them know of our change of circumstances, but anyone else who we haven’t been able to speak to, their business is now with Fletcher’s.”

Peter added thanks to loyal customers who have supported Driffield Cobbler over the years.

“We’ve had some customers who have been with us since day one and have even become friends,” he said.

“I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their support and hopefully it will continue with Lock Express.

“There were some customers we had from London, as we provided a better and cheaper service. They would bring all their shoes at once when visiting the area or even post them up to us.

“We have the lease on the shop until December, so will be in and out until then, but will continue to work from home thereafter.”