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1920’S – ONE SMALL STEP
We made our first steps back in 1924 when husband and wife team, Charles and Eveline Clinkard opened their first shoe shop in Middlesbrough. The business model was simple, provide high quality shoes and a first-rate customer experience; values that continue to influence the day to day running of the company, from product selection to customer service.
1930’S AND 40’S – THE PATTER OF TINY FEET
Following the Second World War, Eveline Clinkard introduced children’s shoes to the store and they quickly became a success. Charles and Eveline had four children of their own which led to correctly fitting children’s shoes becoming a passion of Eveline’s and she would personally measure and fit children who visited the shop. Ensuring that children’s shoes are correctly fitted remains a core principle of the business.
1950’S – EXPANSION
In 1950, the second Charles Clinkard store opened in Finkle Street in Stockton. That same year, founder Charles Clinkard decided it was time to retire, leaving a thriving company for Eveline and their sons Colin, John and Roger to grow. The three boys were determined to take the business to new heights and three years later the company expanded once more when we opened our third store in Redcar. The company continued to grow during the 60s with a forth store opening in Northallerton. Roger Clinkard also decided to explore a new business venture and founded wholesale business Intershoe, innovatively importing winter boots from Scandinavia. Intershoe remains a core part of the Clinkard brand and currently represents Gabor in the UK.
Celebrations resounded in 2012 when the company was named Best Footwear Multiple Retailer at the Footwear Today Awards. Twelve months later Managing Director Charles was named Footwear Personality of the Year and picked up a Special Recognition Award at the North East Business Awards. The awards continued in 2014 with the company winning Best Footwear Multiple Retailer at the Footwear Today Awards for the second time. 2014 also saw the introduction of Istore – an in-store facility allowing customers to view and order from the full range of shoes. In 2016, it became clear that we had outgrown our head offices and so we made the move to new custom-built offices back in Middlesbrough, the town where it all began.