Ingmans & Son

Ingmans & Son, shoe repairer and tailor in Chesterfield

Ingmans & Son is a Chesterfield establishment dedicated to the sale of men's and ladies' footwear and clothing, and to shoe repair and restoration. The company presents itself as a shoe repairer and retailer of boots, shoes and men's clothing, and places its speciality in the restoration and repair of high-quality footwear. Its workshop serves both in-store and through a postal repair service.

Shoe repair and restoration

The repair service is described as traditional, with a modern component provided by the postal service. The company states that its repairers are trained to the highest standard and names Andy Ingman as head of the department, with 43 years of experience and training alongside a retired London shoemaker. Among the works cited are the replacement of stitched soles and heels, the channel groove and the fiddle waist, applied in the postal service to Jeffery-West footwear.

The firm presents itself as a specialist in the repair of Meindl boots and also repairs footwear from other brands. The site description expressly mentions work on shoes and boots from Barker, Berwick, Cheaney, Jeffery-West, Loake and Tricker's. The company also states that Barker Shoes, of Earls Barton (Northampton), has appointed it as its first official repairer.

Footwear and brands sold

The footwear and boots catalogue includes the brands Barker, Berwick, Cheaney, Jeffery-West, Loake and Tricker's. The company champions English leather footwear as a lasting investment, repairable time and time again. The offering is completed with leather goods and accessories: bags and briefcases, card holders and wallets, and shoe care products such as polishes and creams.

Clothing and fitting service

In addition to footwear, Ingmans sells men's and ladies' clothing, both in-store and online. The company mentions a professional fitting service and its own eye for putting together outfits. Its blog features items such as a padded leather bomber jacket from the Trapper line, and leather goods such as bags and purses. It also publishes content on the difference between tailored and off-the-rack suits, and on the definition of high-quality gentlemen's clothing.

History and background

The company's origins date back to 1983, when Andy Ingman, then fourteen years old, began helping on Saturdays in the workshop of a shoemaker friend of his father. Three years later he was hired as a full-time apprentice. His subsequent career included positions of responsibility in repair workshops, the management of a shop in Retford, fifteen years in a management role and running a franchise in York. He later acquired another franchise in his home town, Chesterfield, which he kept for fourteen years until 2018. That year he opened Ingmans in a central location in Chesterfield. The company states it is a member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen.

Shop and customer service

The establishment has showrooms spread over two floors, where customers can examine the footwear and clothing available. The company describes itself as a small and highly committed team, and highlights the five-star reviews received on Google. The site includes a newsletter and a blog with posts on repairs, products and men's fashion topics.

Location and contact

Markham House, Hipper Street, Chesterfield, S40 1GD · Telephone: 01246 200951