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Congratulations on 30 years! How did it all begin?
My father, Kailash, opened Anand Shoes in 1996, naming the business after his own father, Anand, who was a shoemaker in Zanzibar. Sadly, my grandfather passed away when my father was only five years old, but his passion for shoemaking and craftsmanship lived on. Opening the shop in Market Harborough was my father’s way of honouring his father’s memory. Before we occupied the premises, it was a much-loved teddy bear shop. Many local people had fond memories of it, so my father decided to continue selling Steiff teddy bears alongside the shoe business. Thirty years later, the bears remain incredibly popular. Over the years, Anand Shoes has become known for quality footwear and its wide range of traditional services; including shoe repairs, key cutting, engraving, stitching and leather repairs. The moving cobbler in the window has become something of a local landmark, too. What have you got planned to celebrate? Reaching 30 years is a huge achievement for our family and something we are incredibly proud of. We hope to celebrate the occasion properly with our customers, friends and the local community who have supported us over the years. It is also a very special time personally, as our family has recently welcomed two new grandchildren, making my father a grandfather twice over. Seeing three generations of our family connected to the business makes this milestone even more meaningful. What are the biggest changes the business has seen over the years? The high street has certainly changed. The closure of banks and other services has altered the way people visit town centres, and fashions have evolved over time. However, despite these changes, we continue to see strong demand for quality footwear and traditional craftsmanship and we have adapted by offering additional services such as sneaker cleaning and specialist repairs. We have also seen a renewed interest in classic footwear and British-made brands. What are your hopes for the future of the business and the shop? The future feels very positive. We would like to continue growing the business, expand our services and eventually take on an apprentice to help pass these traditional skills on to the next generation. We are also proud to stock respected brands including RM Williams, Redback, Crockett & Jones, Tricker’s, Cheaney, Loake, Saphir Medaille D’or and other quality footwear. Thirty years represents more than simply running a business. It represents dedication, hard work and a lifetime devoted to serving the community. For me personally, this anniversary is a celebration of my father’s achievements. He built the business from the ground up, honoured the memory of his own father, and created something that has become part of Market Harborough’s high street. As the third generation of our family involved in the trade, I feel incredibly proud to continue what he started and to help carry Anand Shoes forward into its next chapter. Anand Shoes, 67 High Street, Market Harborough
Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-5pm |
Issue 30
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