A COBBLER has turned his local shoe repair shop into an award-winning business by finishing second in a national competition.

Chris Hulme, co-owner of family-run business The Key Cobbler, located on Market Place, Kendal, claimed silver by entering the Charles Birch Repair and Customisation competition in Leeds on September 8.

Participants were tasked with resoling and customising the left shoe of an old pair of trainers.

The top three entries then each won an all-expenses paid trip to the Vibram factory in Albizzate, near Milan in Italy next year.

The 33-year-old, who has been repairing shoes for the past decade, chose an old pair of Reebok classics which he resoled with a Vibram sole and customised using Angelus paints.

(Image: Resoled and customised Reebok Classic shoe. Picture credit: Chris Hulme)

(Image: Resoled and customised Reebok Classic shoe. Picture credit: Chris Hulme)

Vibram Master Cobbler Stefano Purzo and Vibram Area Manager Andrea Bassani judged the competition and awarded second place to the South Cumbrian cobbler.

“I chose the Reebok Classic to repair because I used to wear them when I was younger,” Chris said.

"I’ve always loved them. The first gig I ever went to was at the inaugural Kendal Calling Festival.

“I went to watch the rock band British Sea Power and I lost one of my shoes in the mayhem.”

Chris took over the family-run business, which offers an extensive array of services including shoe repairs; key cutting; signs; engraving and leather goods, from his father-in-law in 2019. They remain business partners to this day.

“It’s a small industry we are in so we wanted to support the competition as it was being judged by Vibram,” Chris added.

“We are one of their sole factor stores and we mainly use their products, so I wanted to show off what we can do.

“We’re now officially an award-winning business which I’m really proud about. It’s great news.

“I’m looking forward to being wined and dined at the Fibram factory and seeing how they manufacture all of the soles that we use."