Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos provided by Jacksons Shoes
Long established Jackson’s Shoes of Hunstanton was originally founded, in 1938, by George W Jackson (grandfather to Dawn & Debbie who turned out to be the final owners of the business). George Jackson began by opening a Shoe Repairers in Front Street, Birstall, Leicester. It is believed the shop closed for a short while during World War II. However, following the war, George began making sandals from plastic strips, with wooden wedge heels. These sandals were made in pretty colours and proved very popular after the dull days of the war.
In 1947, George Jackson opened a shop in Conduit Street, Leicester. Around this time, George also began selling Wide Fitting Glace Kid Shoes and the retail side of the business continued to grow and expand into family footwear, including the famous Tuf brand. Twenty or more years later and George Senior had been joined by other family members. In the late 1960s, George’s son, George Junior and his wife Jill, opened a shop in Narborough Road, Leicester which had closed by the mid 1980′s.
Another shop was opened in Cavendish Road, Leicester and was run by George’s Wife Kate, and was later taken over by their daughter, Mavis and her husband Ken.
1 July 1972 saw the opening of the King’s Lynn Shop, in Chapel Street. By now George and Kate Jackson had completely retired, so the business was run solely by their daughter Mavis and her husband Ken. By offering the same friendly service and value for money this now established family business was as popular in Norfolk as it had been in Leicester.
In 1983, Jackson’s established a larger shop in Hunstanton, as the business had outgrown the King’s Lynn shop. In Hunstanton, the business continued to thrive at the hands of Mavis, Ken and other members of the family. Jacksons Shoes celebrated both it’s Golden and Silver Anniversary in 1997 – marking a fantastic achievement of 50 years in business with 25 of those years in Norfolk.
Mavis and Ken decided to retire in 1998 having served 40 yrs in the business without a full weeks holiday! Their daughters Dawn and Debbie then took over the business and on Saturday 25 October 2008, Jacksons the shoe people celebrated 70 years in business by having a day of 1940′s memorabilia and nostalgia. Customers who shared the celebrations were treated to a glass of ginger beer, cake, some old fashioned sweets and 1940′s music. Jowett Flying Fox named ‘PLUG’ was parked outside, drawing lots of admiring glances from passers by.
Business, however, had its downs as well as its ups and, after 73 years in business, Jacksons The Shoe People ceased trading on 18 February 2012 despite battling through many testing times such as the loss of Elmdale and Equity, difficulty of obtaining footwear, product quality deterioration and a significant economic downturn resulting in the closure of Hunstanton’s Woolworths store.
Despite the adverse trading conditions and without the benefit of any staff support (since 2011), Jacksons struggled on. Subsequently Dawn and Debbie introduced a Dress Agency for pre-owned clothing and shoes. However, this adjustment to their trading was not enough to ensure survival of the business and the two sisters were forced to make a heart breaking decision and ceased trading.
Both Dawn and Debbie extend heartfelt thanks to all past customers who supported Jacksons for the last 30 years in Hunstanton.
