www.charlesclinkard.co.uk

Charles Clinkard is a third-generation family-owned footwear retailer that has been providing fine footwear since 1924. Founded when husband and wife team Charles and Eveline Clinkard opened their first shoe shop in Middlesbrough, the business was built on a simple model: provide high quality shoes and a first-rate customer experience. Following the Second World War, Eveline introduced children's shoes to the store, which quickly became a success. Having four children of her own, correctly fitting children's shoes became a personal passion for Eveline, who would personally measure and fit children visiting the shop. This commitment to proper fitting remains central to the Charles Clinkard experience today. The company expanded steadily, opening in Stockton in 1958 and Redcar in 1959. The 1980s saw continued growth, with Roger Clinkard becoming President of the Independent Footwear Retailers Association. In 1986, Intershoe began working with Gabor, which remains one of their most popular brands today. The current Managing Director, Charles Clinkard, is the grandson of the founders and joined the business in 1989 after working in retail management at Bally Shoes. Under his leadership, the company launched its online store in 2001 and expanded further in 2008 by acquiring 12 stores from Stead and Simpson. Today, Charles Clinkard has grown to 42 locations across the UK, with headquarters still in Middlesbrough where it all began. The company was named Best Footwear Multiple Retailer at the Footwear Today Awards in 2012, and Charles himself was named Footwear Personality of the Year in 2013.