THE OWNER of a shoe shop which has been running for eight generations has said she is “very lucky” people in her family have shared a passion for the trade.
Caroline French, 46, is the managing director of W. J. French & Son, one of the oldest shoe-making businesses in the country.
Francis French set up the business in 1803 from his house in Kingsland Place. He later relocated to Charlotte Place until his death in 1867.
His son William took over the business at the age of 23 working from several other addresses and in 1890 the shop moved to Bedford Place where it remains today.
Five generations have since run the business.
Caroline took over in 2014 after her father, William Richard French, retired.
She is sharing the story of her family's historic business ahead of Independents' Day on July 2 and 3 - an initiative aimed at supporting local traders and encouraging people to visit them.
She said: “[The business] has always passed down to a child in the family and I just think we have been so lucky to have someone that has loved the job and loved the craft.
"We have customers who say they have been shopping with us for three or four generations.
"If people remember going to our shop as a child, they know that we are famous for fitting shoes, measuring feet, and providing a very good service.
"We know families very well who say they have been served by my grandad."
READ MORE: Meet the owner behind 'fresh and authentic' Stakks Pancake House
Caroline’s brother, Michael, the financial director at the firm, added: "Customers come to me and say their grandfather and great grandfather used to buy shoes. So, it’s almost a tradition, not just for our family but for many families across Southampton and in the area.
"That’s something we’re all quite proud of, the ability to share that tradition with so many other people."
Shop manager, Roy Wallbridge, 72, has worked at the shop for almost 60 years.
He says the secret to its success is good service and word of mouth.
READ MORE: Owner of Arsty Lounge in Southampton says eatery is bursting with flavours
"Customers come in with their kids and buy their school shoes and probably hate them. But their parents keep bringing them in every half a year. That builds a relationship with the kid, even though he might hate the shoes.
"When they get to the age of leaving school, but they have been very loyal over the years, after a couple of years, they come back. They come back with their kids.
"If you stop the care and the good service, their parents stop coming and so do the kids."
WJ and Son can be found at 40 Bedford Place in Southampton, SO15 2DG.
This story is part of Go! Southampton's bid to support local businesses as the upcoming Independents' Day on July 2 and 3 is aimed at supporting local traders and encouraging people to visit them.
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.
Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.
You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.
Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents
Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel