Farewell to Statham’s Shoe Shop

It was a sad moment for many of us when Statham’s Shoe Shop — or United Footwear, as it later became known — announced its closure after more than seventy years of trading. Few parishioners will have gone through life without buying at least one pair of shoes there, and probably several more. In recent years the shop expanded into other goods, but for most of us it will always be remembered as the place to buy footwear.

Older residents will remember the shop as “Mac’s”, named after Mcleonard Statham, who founded the business in the early 1950s.

Born and raised in the village, Mac spent his entire working life in the shoe trade. His first venture was a simple market stall, and by 1953 he was selling footwear from a row of sheds beside his home at 114 Main Street. With the support of his wife Betty, the business flourished, and by the 1970s they had moved into the large warehouse building we all recognise today.

As a young child in the 70s, I can well remember the annual trip to Macs with my mum, just before the school year started, to be fitted for my new shoes.

There was none of the knick-knacks you might see today – just footwear; from your slippers to your brogues – that’s if you could afford them. Fast forward 25 years and I found myself taking my daughter there for her summer sandals.

Statham’s has felt like a permanent feature of the village: right in the centre, open all hours (well nearly) and handy if you needed last minute slippers for Grandma’s Christmas present, or a new pair of wellies for the school farm trip. Its closure marks the end of an era, and a reminder that even the most familiar landmarks are not immune to change.

Help Us To Preserve It’s Story

To ensure that the story of Statham’s — and what it meant to the village — is not forgotten, the Newbold Verdon Parish Archive is inviting residents to share their memories. We hope to collect recollections, photographs and artefacts that capture the spirit of the shop and the people who ran it.

If you would like to contribute, please get in touch using our contact page link. Your memories will help keep this much-loved piece of village history alive for future generations.