Joseph Cheaney & Sons

Joseph Cheaney & Sons’ Covent Garden store is a celebration of the art and craft of shoemaking. Entirely handmade in England, the brand has been operating out of Northampton, the home of Britain’s best cordwainers, since 1886. Still working from the same factory, and employing 140 staff, every pair of shoes and boots is Goodyear welted and designed to last you a lifetime.

At the time they were founded, Joseph Cheaney & Sons was one of the first to bring the whole process of shoemaking together under one factory roof. Dick Cheaney, the third generation of the family to run the business, modernised the facilities to keep ahead with the times and kept the business running through the difficult mid-century years by exporting their manufacturing services to other countries, particularly America. This won them the prestigious Queen’s Award to Industry for Export in both 1966 and 1971. In 2016, they were honoured with the award yet again. They also received the Draper’s Men’s Footwear Brand of the Year in 2013, proving their continued excellence in their field.

Part of this success has been the fusion of traditional, quality shoemaking practices in modern stores that appeal to today’s shoppers. Their 1,000 square-feet space on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden was designed by Checkland Kindleysides and features clean, white display benches lit by rows of hanging ceiling lamps in leather shades of black, brown, and tan. A display shelf and glass divider features sketches of tools and workman’s patterns, emphasising the brand’s handmade heritage. At the back, a smart, navy painted area features comfy sofas to try on shoes and a wall hanging of Joseph Cheaney’s portrait.

Well-trained staff can advise you on styles, fit, and the care of your shoes, as well as their refurbishment service to ensure you can keep your purchase for as long as you like, without wearing them through. Refurbishment takes place at the Northampton factory and takes around six weeks.