History

Shoe Making And The French Family

As one of the oldest shoe making businesses in the country, it is now over 200 years since Francis French and his wife Martha opened their shoe shop in Kingsland Place, Southampton. However, even as early as 1794, records how that the French family were involved in the making of shoes, but it was not until 1890 that the family moved to the premises at 40 Bedford Place and in 1964 the adjoining property was bought to extend the store as we know it today.

Bespoke Shoe Making

It was William George French, chairman of the company who started his business life making and altering the smart button boots of the period and it was he that insisted that shoes must fit both feet even when the feet are odd. Thus, he evolved many of the techniques now used for altering one or both shoes. It was this bespoke and personal service plus the introduction from America of Gold Cross multiple fitting shoes that helped pioneer the way forward to establish French's as one of the few shoes-fitting specialists in the United Kingdom, and which helped to start a revolution in shoe buying.

The French Family Connections

The French name originated in France and traditionally the French family were shoemakers in the reign of Queen Anne and also connected with the American French's. More recent history shows the French family tree below.

Shoes On The Move

Francis French began his apprenticeship with shoemaker Richard Wareham at Dudsbury, Parish of Hampreston in Dorset, and in 1803 began their business from a house in Kingsland Place, Southampton. After several moves, they rented at Four Posts in 1883, which at the time was considered to be a long way from the center of the city. By 1825 the family were back living in Southampton and in 1832 a final move to Charlotte Place until Francis' death in 1836/37. One of his sons, William, at the age of 24, carried on the successful business working from several other addresses such as Hanover Buildings near Paradise Row, Above Bar and in 1848 to Manchester Street, before the French family finally purchased 40 Bedford Place in 1890.

Only The Best

Already known for their individual and unique shoe-fitting service for their customers, it was also paramount for French's to stock the very best shoes from the world's leading manufacturers. It was W.G. French who insisted that none of his staff would ever be in the situation in having to say to customers "sorry we don't have that in your size". Today, W.J. French & Son pride themselves on providing a huge stock for customers to choose from and from many of the top suppliers as illustrated inside.

Stepping Forward

A great majority of French's customers start young and for generations now children have been introduced by their parents to quality and comfortable footwear that only W.J. French can provide. As young feet grow, so too the necessity for their teenage and adult feet to step into correctly fitting shoes and so the ethos of W.J. French is again told.