Bethnal Green
14 Well Heeled
A footwear fanatic’s dream. Proprietor Ken Holmes has been in the cobbling business for aeons (part of an old local set, incidentally, that includes the boys from Blackman’s and Gardner’s). A highly experienced craftsman, he uses proper needle-and-thread methods, rather than the slap of glue commonly used by most modern cobblers.
Well Heeled, 443 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 (020 7739 3608) Bethnal Green tube. Open Mon-Fri 6am-5pm, Sat 7am-4pm.
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15 Diva Shoes
Diva Shoes doesn’t look like the classiest of joints from the outside, but it has become a secret Bethnal Green staple for lots of the local fashionistas because of the surprisingly good-quality flats and pumps inside. Ballet shoes with proper almond toes and peep-toe flats,
all in genuine leather, range between £12 and £15 (the price of a drink in most Shoreditch bars these days).
Diva Shoes, 425 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 (020 7739 7330) Bethnal Green tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm.
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3 comments
Give 'Well Healed' on Bethnal Green Road a miss. I took my shoes in for a new sole. I got a glued on sole, looked awful, and 'Ken', the aeon old proprieter had scoured the leather, for a favour! He then denied this as they obviously looked awful and were ruined! I left them with him so he could find out what happened. When I returned they have been miraculously shined up beyond regognition, like they had been varnished. So my nice soft leather shoes now had deep gauges in the leather (Ken said it was cracks in the leather) and a hard, shiny, lacquered like finish and they were 10 shades darker brown. I tried to reason with Ken Holmes but he got aggressive and began threatening how his son would be going beserk if he was there. I felt very intimidated, he called 'me' a liar and refused to accept any liability although he agreed that no one else had been near the shoes. I would give this place a miss, there are plenty of other places on Bethnal Green Road where I would take my business for a better price, a better job and to get my shoes back in the same state as I handed them over in. This guy is a cowboy.
I bought shoes from XEN and was amazed at the value they offer.. even the suits and shirts were cheaper and better than I have seen elsewhere.
I loved the quirky family independent nature of the shop too. Was nice to get away from the mass market high street names that are so impersonal.
you seem to have left out XEN in Harrow Place on your listings... for business shoes especially discounting Loake and Barker Shoes... they are really cheap at around £75!!
Harrow Place is between Petticoat Lane, Middlesex Street and Houndsditch and Bishopsgate, only a few mins from Spittalfields Martket.
Its a family business and all a bit fun and quirky, but all the insurance boys buy their shoes and discount suits from this one off find..
Would be a good idea to take a look... I think they even have a website, but they don't sell on-line...
Google XEN discount shoes for more... perhaps...