Footwear-OCT20-P04-08 News_Footwear_Jan10_p30 19/11/2020 19:39 Page 6
NEWS BRISTOL’S SHOE SHOP JOINS RANKS OF SMALL BIZ 100
SoleLution family footwear store, based in Portishead High Street and Clifton Village will be given a spell in the limelight as part of this year’s Small Biz 100, a national campaign highlighting some of the UK’s most inspiring small businesses.
Marking 100 days building up to Small Business Saturday on 5 December
2020, the Small Biz 100 provides a major profile boost to small businesses across the UK, particularly at this challenging time.
Showcasing a daily celebration of the Small Biz 100 through social media, the
campaign aims to support and celebrate a vibrant range of small, community driven businesses across the UK.
SoleLution first opened its doors in Portishead High Street in October 2005, with the Clifton shop opening in February 2008. Owner, Tanya Marriott, has a passion for correctly fitting shoes, as after all, footwear is the only item of clothing that if fitted incorrectly can damage your health. As a result Tanya tirelessly campaigns for children to have their feet measured before purchasing a new pair of shoes.
SoleLution will be placed in the spotlight on 4th October 2020, with various
celebrations through the month as SoleLution are also celebrating their 15th birthday in October.
Tanya said: “Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial
campaign, aimed to encourage consumers to shop local and support small independent businesses. I am very proud to be part of the Small Biz 100, it was quite a surprise to find that we were one of only 100 to be selected in the whole country. It’s fantastic to be a part of something that recognises and highlights the important role small, local businesses play in their communities.”
Among the other firms being recognised are a family run florist in Bristol, a
beauty salon in Inverness, and a wine school in Chester. Michelle Ovens MBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, said:
“Congratulations to SoleLution for joining the Small Biz 100! This campaign highlights the amazing, positive impact small firms have on communities across the UK. Given the phenomenally tough time small businesses have had, and the special role they played supporting communities in lockdown, it’s vital we continue to support them as this crisis continues. This year’s Small Business Saturday is going to be the most important one yet, and were determined it will also be the best.”
Now in its eighth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday has grown
significantly each year, with a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop small on the day last year, generating an estimated £800m. Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots non-commercial campaign, which celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and to support businesses in their communities.. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but with an impact that lasts all year round. This year Small Business Saturday takes place on 5 December 2020.
https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com
About SoleLution At SoleLution we are passionate about helping you find the right shoe for your sole. We have 2 shops in and around Bristol as well as our website
www.solelution.co.uk, which has come into its own during lockdown. SoleLution started trading in October 2005 in Portishead High Street and we opened our second store in Clifton in February 2008.
SoleLution stock a wide range of footwear for men, women and children from
quality brands including Rieker, Josef Seibel, Fly London, Start-Rite, Ricosta and Geox. Whatever your age, lifestyle or fitting we will endeavour to find you a pair of comfortable shoes whilst offering excellent customer service.
At SoleLution, we take shoe fitting very seriously. My staff are fully trained to
fit children’s shoes, and provide advice to adults, with myself and my manager in Clifton being members of the Society of Shoe Fitters. We understand how important it is to look after our feet. After all we only get the one pair!
Where and why did SoleLution start? After returning from travelling my
husband and I decided to relocate back to Bristol. I had always wanted to open my own business but did not know what. My Mum suggested that Portishead was in need of a shoe shop. To be honest I thought she had lost the plot - I hated shopping (still not a great lover!), had a severe dislike of shoes and had not worked in retail, other than a Saturday job when I was 16.
The reasons behind why I hate shopping and shoes – poor customer service
and my very wide large feet, I believe are the reasons we have been successful and will be celebrating our 15 years in October. SoleLution ensure our customers feel valued, heard and understood, not embarrassed by the size or shape of their feet.
During lockdown, we have launched our virtual fitting service meaning we can
continue to serve our existing customers and can now help customers from anywhere who can’t visit our stores in person.
In my opinion, it is very important to give back to the communities that you
are a part of and I love it! Each year, we organise an Easter Egg Trail through Portishead High Street where other businesses are invited to “host an egg”. We have used this as an opportunity to raise funds for local charities, and in the last couple of years raise money to help the children at the school we collect worn shoes for in Kenya, through Educate the Kids. This charity have stolen a piece of my heart. In January I made my 4th trip to Jolaurabi School in Kenya and along with my lovely volunteers, fitted the whole school, over 800 pupils, with these “new” shoes. This September SoleLution have donated a £1 for each pair of school shoes sold, raising over £1500 for Educate the Kids. We were hoping to host their choir again this year, but unfortunately COVID has had other ideas. I am really hoping that it won’t stop my 2021 trip as they are currently in more need than ever.
Other events include organising a feet measuring marathon at a local school,
measuring over 400 children in one day, welcoming Reception from another local school into our store for visits each year, taking part in our local Window Wanderland, organising a Welly Decorating competition as part of our local “In Bloom” campaign, as well as other local events, provide prizes for charity events and school fairs.
6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY •OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020
www.footweartoday.co.uk
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