Surrey Homes | SH101 | June 2023 | Education Supplement inside

Service is the key
Guest’s Shoe Services Ltd are celebrating 70 years in business
Guest’s Shoe Services Ltd was started by
Tom Guest, after being invalided out
of the Navy. Alongside work at the
Post Office and Paine Smith Bakers
of Southborough, Tom started repairing shoes by
hand from home with the help of his wife Edna.
Following praise from neighbours and friends, his
first shop opened in Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
It was in 1957 that 23 Mount Ephraim was
purchased, and he moved in with his wife,
son Ian and daughter Avril. The business
expanded and at one time had 9 shops, 4
in Tunbridge Wells, 2 in Tonbridge, 1 in
West Malling, 1 in Rusthall and finally 1 in
Crowborough in 1968. There were also 3 vans
that would travel around the villages picking
up and returning repairs as well as selling new
shoes, including Barsleys of Paddock Wood.
Tom’s son Ian started as a Saturday boy at
the Camden Road shop, then after leaving
school in 1967, worked in the family
business full-time, at the Mount Ephraim
branch. Ian is still occupied with repairs,
special requests and work that no one else
will touch, with many customers who have
become good friends over the years.
With the help of a third generation, Tom’s
granddaughter, Jenny Rickwood who
started as a Saturday assistant, looks after
the Crowborough shop and assists with
the buying and running of both shops.
The retail side of the business has taken over
and being independent allows us to have
the variety of styles and colours in shoes,
handbags and leather goods in store. Over
the years trading has altered, suppliers have
changed or ceased trading. The good old
brands like K Shoes, Equity and Elmdale have
gone but been replaced with new, modern
brands like Jana, Rieker and DB Shoes.
Fashion has changed a lot since Covid,
especially in footwear. The demand for
formal footwear slowed, casual shoes and
trainers are what we are all wearing now.
This season we have become stockists of
Skechers, and the new Arch Fit and Slip
Ins range are proving very popular.
We like most retailers, have to work ahead
and are currently looking at next years Spring/
Summer ranges. Customers often ask how
do you know what to buy? We have trusted
brands, but more importantly it’s about quality,
comfort and styles, with a little bit of luck too.
Social Media plays an important part
in retail, now more than ever, follow us
on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
5 High Street, Crowborough, East Sussex.
23 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
www.guestsshoes.co.uk
NEVER HAVE TO TOUCH
YOUR SHOES AGAIN
MACHINE WASHABLE
JUST STEP IN AND GO.
Introducing new hands free Skechers Slip-Ins.
Putting on your shoes has never been easier.
No Bending over. No pulling them on. No Hassles.
THE COMFORT TECHNOLOGY COMPANY