B
ased in Stacksteads, Lancashire, Goodwin Smith specialises in classic men’s shoes with contemporary designs offering competitive prices, £95 for brogues and £100 for boots.
Goodwin Smith has a unique history, which started one night in a Lancashire pub way back
in 1928. Two rival British shoemakers stood face to face, arguing about which of them could
make the better shoe – Ernie Goodwin, and Walter Smith. They came from different backgrounds
and were totally different people, but they each shared the same ideals, a passion for making quality
footwear and a good night out.
Ernie Goodwin was a footballer for Manchester City, but one day, he put his ambition, his drive for
perfection and his little bit of swagger into something different: making shoes. So too did Walter
Smith, with his street smart skills acquired in the coal mines of the North and his determination to
make it to the top of the shoemaking industry. After that passionate argument in the pub, Goodwin
and Smith joined forces to create ‘The Bacup Shoe Company’.
Nearly one hundred years later, nothing much has changed. The Bacup Shoe Company is still owned
and run by the same family. And they are still making quality footwear. Under Tim Smith’s leadership,
a contestant on Dragons Den, the company has developed the ‘Goodwin Smith’ brand to celebrate
the two founder’s intriguing characters. Like Ernie and Walter, Goodwin Smith represents the epitome of the modern man who likes to work hard and play very hard.
The brand is aimed at men aged 21-35 and the marketing to go with this is quite unique, portraying
a fun and cheeky tone alongside their rich footwear heritage. Goodwin Smith has also quickly attracted a healthy online following, with a number of high profile celebrities and sportsmen wearing their
shoes and commenting on the quality.
“The response to the brand has been unbelievable” commented Tim Smith, Managing Director.
“We are now in 80 stores across the UK and Ireland and the interest we received at the recent
MODA Show and also daily online is incredible.”
For more information about Goodwin Smith and their Bucking Good Shoes please visit www.GoodwinSmith.co.uk.
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