Page 16 - Oundle Life August 2023

QA
Six years ago James North, the owner of
North Shoes, bought a shoe shop in Oundle’s marketplace. The business has moved from one family to another and is still thriving...
Favourite shoes in stock today? I’m a Loake man through and through, affordable quality men’s shoes with up to date styling, made in Northamptonshire. Right up my street. Boots for winter and deck shoes for the summer.
When did North Shoes take over from Cottons? Anne Cotton very kindly agreed to sell us her family’s business
in the spring of 2017. It was an honour that Anne Cotton agreed North Shoes should continue her family business.
I would have loved our grandfathers,
on both sides, to have witnessed this happening. Cottons opened in 1871 and now lives on as North Shoes.
We pride ourselves on quality customer service
What is the best thing about your job? My job is very varied every day. One minute I’m serving a family
with school shoes in one of my shops then I’m dealing with a new initiative on our web shop, which has its own challenges. After lunch I’m probably completing payroll before negotiating
What made you choose Oundle? Oundle
is a quintessential English market town that is perfect for our business as we provide a quality fitting service for the whole family. Having the schools in the town is great for our Back to School trade in August.
with a supplier on the other side of the world! What’s your best seller? Birkenstock sandals
in the summer and Gabor boots in the winter, and school shoes all year round, but especially in August when we are at our busiest.
Describe your business in five words...
Quality, service, fitting, family and friendly.
16
NORTH
SHOES
Family footwear
AND