Student of the Year 2019
GEORGE PAISH M.S.S.F.
of Bill Bird Bespoke Shoemakers
Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

UPDATE *** COVID-19

Please note that our courses are still running, but the two practical Workshops are currently on hold until the Royal College of Chiropodists & Podiatrists, and the factories we use to hold these events, re-open to the public.  The safety of our hosts, students and tutors is of paramount importance.

We will post an invitation to students when it is safe to do so.  Apologies for any inconvenience, but this is an unexpected situation and beyond our control.

COURSES AVAILABLE AT THE START OF EACH MONTH

Photographs of our STUDENTS OF THE YEAR: (click for photographs!)

2006 – June Mackenzie M.S.S.F. of John Anthony Shoes of Lincoln
2007 – Charlotte Duffett M.S.S.F. of Gibbs of Ely, Cambridgeshire
2008 – Jan Treasure M.S.S.F. of Buskins, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
2009 – Louise Davies M.S.S.F. of Hopscotch Shoes, Chapel Allerton
2010 – Nicole Robinson M.S.S.F. of Papillon Children’s Shoes, Belgravia and Marylebone London
2011 – David O’Dwyer M.S.S.F. of Cushfeet, Limerick, S. Ireland
2012 – Jim Luck M.S.S.F. of Luck’s of Louth, Louth, Lincolnshire.
2013 – Emma Butler M.S.S.F. of Belle Enfant, Ringwood, Hants.
2014 – Rebecca Thorne M.S.S.F. of Bill Bird Shoes, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucs.
2015 – Lisa Coulborn M.S.S.F. of Little Goody New Shoes, Ramsbottom, Lancs.
2016 – Ryan Clements M.S.S.F. of North Shoes (Bourne,Cambs. etc.)
2017 – Shah Nawaz Khan M.S.S.F. of Hotter Shoes (Skelmersdale)
2018 – Delyth Evans M.S.S.F. of  The Cambrian Boot: Siop Esi (Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales)
2019 – George Paish M.S.S.F. of Bill Bird Bespoke Shoemakers (Moreton-in-the-Marsh)

You may only become a member of the Society if you qualify to do so.

There is a choice of options:

• The Footwear & Fitting Course – 5 month distance learning course with two practical workshop days, one in London and one at a shoe factory.
• The Deluxe Course – which includes one Footwear & Fitting Course and our Senior Tutor will give a number of your staff personal in-store training.
• Entrance Application – For skilled staff who have been fitting shoes for more than 5 years.  This is an examination/assessment and not a training vehicle.

THE ONLY UNIQUE SELLING POINT (USP) A FOOTWEAR RETAILER HAS IS THE PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF MEASURING AND SHOE FITTING – WHETHER FOR CHILDREN OR FOR ADULTS!

The Footwear & Fitting Course: Teaches you all you need to know to offer a professional shoe fitting service. It is extremely useful for staff training and to obtain the necessary knowledge about feet, physiology, footwear, shoe construction, gauges, measurement etc.  Everyone working with footwear in any capacity should take this course.

The Deluxe Course is ideal for new shops, those with several staff, or those who would just prefer more hands-on tuition.

The Entrance Application: is for already experienced shoe fitters, (over 5 years fitting quality brands) to prove they have the knowledge and experience to become an M.S.S.F.

Multiple’s: We offer instore/onsite training days with personal certificates for delegates. These denote the staff attending have received professional tuition (they are not a qualification). Price upon application dependent upon numbers.

How can I sign up?:

FOOTWEAR & FITTING COURSE APPLICATION FORM

Complete this application form (a PDF you can download, or request a hard copy from the secretary), and simply forward with your payment. A retrospective invoice will be issued crossed ‘paid with thanks’.

Cost:

Please note training and subscriptions can be offset against tax (for existing businesses) or tax-payers can use Gift Aid – which allows us a further 25p in the £1, but you need to be advised by your Accountant as we are not tax experts. As we are a charity, we aim to keep our course fees as low as possible.

GIFT AID DECLARATION – SINGLE DONATION

Venues:

• Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists in London SOCPOD MAP
• Map to D.B. Footwear in Rushden, Northamptonshire. D.B. MAP
• Map to Loake of Kettering LOAKE MAP

Directions to venues are also in the course folder, or provided in advance.

YOU EMPLOY STAFF TO CREATE SALES, NOT DUST SHELVES.  MAXIMISE ON THEIR SKILL-BASE AND KNOWLEDGE TO GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE AND EMPOWER THEM.

OUR MEMBERS SELL SHOES THAT WONT COME BACK TO CUSTOMERS WHO WILL!