STORE OF THE MONTH
LOAKE SHOEMAKERS The business bringing premium handcrafted footwear to Cambridge since finding a new home on Rose Crescent in December 2023
Cambridge Edition: Can you tell us about the brand and its history? Richard Utting, sales and marketing director: Loake has been making traditional shoes in Northamptonshire since 1880. Family-owned since the very beginning, we are proud of our history and heritage as traditional shoemakers. The famous Goodyear construction – for which we are known – is a time- honoured and intricate process with origins traced back over 300 years. Each pair of Loake Goodyear welted shoes takes eight weeks to produce. Some 130 skilled craftspeople, up to 75 shoe parts and around 200 different operations are involved; while only the highest-quality materials are used. We believe there is no finer way to make a shoe. From the design bench to the finishing room, each pair of Loake shoes are carefully crafted, with an uncompromising attention to detail, and infused with the individual flair, personality and magic of our dedicated shoemakers.
HEART AND SOLE Loake’s new Cambridge store brings signature style and more than a century of tradition
CE: What made Cambridge an obvious choice for expansion? RU: Loake is devoted to investing in our high streets, bringing its handcrafted shoes and personal service even closer to our customers. We’ve been interested in Cambridge as a location for one of our stores for a long time! The city is a great fit for our customer demographic and we’ve had some fantastic business partners here
of shoe experts – whether it’s offering style advice and shoe-care information to keep your shoes in pristine condition for years to come, or a personal fitting service for the most comfortable fit. This spring, from 4 March to 14 April, we will be running a free gift promotion in-store. All visitors can sign up to receive a free Smart Shoe Care Kit worth £35 with the purchase of any style from our Professional collection.
over the years, so now felt like the right time. CE: What can shoppers expect in-store? RU: Inside, you will find a wide range of timeless classics and
CE: How are you enjoying your newest location on Rose Crescent? RU: We’re delighted to have received a warm reception from locals in our first few months of
Loake has the perfect shoe for any occasion
luxury casuals for a variety of occasions. From formal Oxfords, brogues and Chelsea boots to a selection of refined casuals such as trainers, loafers and boat shoes – Loake has the perfect shoe for any occasion with over 120 different styles in-store. We cater to sizes six to 11, including half sizes. And for the finishing touches, we also have a selection of leather goods and accessories that make great gifts for shoe fans! Of course, you can also expect friendly and professional assistance from our team
trading. We have discovered quite a few Loake enthusiasts happy to find us on their doorstep! We’ve found Rose Crescent to be a remarkably close-knit community, with the shops fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and are truly grateful for the local support.
Visit loake.com , follow on Instagram @loakeshoemakers or visit the store at 11 Rose Crescent, Cambridge CB2 3LP
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