GOOD NEWS
FEET FIRST
Charles
Clinkard
ranked UK’s
number one
shoe retailer
At the helm – MD Charles
Clinkard is the grandson of the
firm’s founder and namesake.
T
eesside-headquartered family firm Charles
Clinkard has been independently judged best
footwear retailer in the UK by the prestigious
Which? consumer magazine.
In a nationwide survey of shoe and boot
shops, the iconic Tees business, which has more than
30 stores across the country, came out on top gaining
five stars for product quality, in-store experience and
service.
Charles Clinkard – whose headquarters are in
Middlesbrough - was also singled out for praise for its
measuring and size guidance, with Which? reporting:
“We all know that size matters
“Outstanding customer
service is what keeps
customers coming back and
we count our commitment
to that as one of the reasons
we have been successful.”
when it comes to choosing
comfortable shoes and boots,
and you don’t want to find the
perfect size in one style only to
find it doesn’t fit in another.
“We asked customers to rate
the accuracy and consistency of
sizing at stores selling shoes and
boots - with specialist shoe store
Charles Clinkard measuring up
when it came to the accuracy of sizing.”
The survey also looked at value for money and range
of product, with Charles Clinkard again scoring highly
with four stars.
The company compared well to other shoe retailers,
such as Clarks and Schuh, and held off competition from
department store giants John Lewis and Marks and
Spencer to gain the top overall score.
Managing director Charles Clinkard said: “It is a
tremendous accolade for the business and our staff to
be named as the best in the country. It is independent
verification that we are fulfilling our long-held objectives
of offering great service and a variety of fantastic
brands.
“Outstanding customer service is what keeps
customers coming back and we count our commitment
to that as one of the reasons we have been successful.
“Our stores had to be closed due to the Covid-19
situation but we can now look forward to welcoming
back customers – and can promise that the qualities
that helped us to achieve this accolade will be more
important than ever.
“Charles Clinkard stores will operate under
government advice on social distancing and always
work to keep staff and customers safe. We are also
expressing our thanks for the incredible work the NHS
are doing by offering their employees an exclusive
discount.”
Charles Clinkard took its first steps into the footwear
industry back in 1924 when Charles and Eveline Clinkard
proudly opened their first shoe store in Middlesbrough,
where it still stands today.
Charles Clinkard has gone from strength to strength
throughout its 96-year history and now successfully
operates in 38 stores throughout the UK, with a
workforce of more than 500.
The company remains family-owned and managed
and is now orchestrated by MD Charles Clinkard,
grandson of the eponymous founder.
Through its clear business morals and commitment
to the footwear industry, Charles Clinkard has gained
a strong regional presence, with the company’s
headquarters standing in the the town where it all
began.
With an unwavering commitment to well-informed
customer service and an unrivalled selection of quality,
branded footwear, the company has ardently built upon
its reputation which has enabled it to stand out against
the sea of other footwear retailers across the country.
Celebrating – Charles Clinkard with Middlesbrough
store manager Gina Ditchburn (left) and assistant
manager Mary Lockwood.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 75