Shoemaster comes to town

Chris Lesbirel is looking forward to bringing his business to Rochdale for the first time

North West shoe repair company Shoemaster has signed a long-term lease at 66 Yorkshire Street in Rochdale town centre.

Owner of Shoemaster, Chris Lesbirel, signed the lease taking advantage of the Council business rates scheme, which reduces rates for new businesses coming into Rochdale town centre by 80 per cent in the first year and 50 per cent in year two.

Mr Lesbirel, who started trading in 1986, already owns six other Shoemaster branches across the North West. He said: “I was delighted to discover that the discount scheme would apply to my business. It basically made the difference between me opening my business in Rochdale or not.

“It’s important that high street fixes are long-term like this council scheme. A lot of landlords offer short term rent discounts over Christmas, but with that you get a new shop in and they’re gone after six weeks. It’s no use. A two year scheme is a fantastic idea because once your discount finishes, you’ve already built up that all-important customer goodwill. You’re not having to contend with huge rates at that really challenging time when you’re first getting established.”

Mr Lesbirel, who has spent £30,000 on new equipment for the shop and is going to employ a local apprentice to work with store manager Colin Whitehead, added: “I really like Rochdale. It’s got a good vibe about it and there’s a lot of improvement work going on in the town centre.”

Councils can apply local discretionary business rates discounts over and above those already put in place by government, but have to bear some of the cost themselves.

Shoemaster is the seventh business to come on board as part of the Rochdale Council scheme, with a further four vacant units being occupied outside the initiative during the time it has been running.

Shoemaster is expected to open for business on Monday 17 August.