Wells has had a shoe shop at the top of Broad Street since 1863, first run by the George family then by Clarks of Street before it was sold to one of their employees, Basil Powell.
Wells has had a shoe shop at the top of Broad Street since 1863.
The George family ran it for several generations but after the Second World War the shop was bought by Clarks of Street who ran it under their Peter Lord brand. Then in 1969 Clarks sold the shop to one of their employees, Basil Powell, under whose name it still trades, and run since 1989 by his son Robert and wife Sarah.
Now they have been presented with a plaque by Wells Civic Society to mark the shop’s more than 150 years of service to the city. The society’s chair, Chris Winter said: “Independent businesses are so important to the city. Not only to its economic prosperity but they make a vital contribution to the community too. “Customers are fellow residents and visitors who are valued, and Robert and Sarah engage in many aspects of city life. “They also respect and enhance the historic built environment of Wells with well kept shop fronts, in particular the clues to the history of businesses like the well maintained mosaic doorway of Basil Powell Shoes".
”Robert thanked the Civic Society and said: “We are proud of Wells which is a great place for independent businesses. We are unique with a loyal customer base offering a personal fitting service and we stock lots of brands for people with uncomfortable feet.”
Sarah, who was brought up in Paris, met Robert at a dinner party and they have two grown-up daughters.
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