As traditions go, it was a particularly enduring one at one of Spalding’s oldest shops.
For many long-time customers at Gibbs, handwritten invoices – produced in triplicate – were as established as the fitting service itself.
But now they will no longer be issued.
The business is moving to an electronic sales and stock system, which will mark a change for the experienced shop staff.
For Mary Moore and Yvonne Charlton – both of whom have been associated with the shop for more than 40 years – there’s a little trepidation but they’re both looking forward to the changeover.
Yvonne said: “I’ve never known any different but you’ve got to move with the times.”
Managing director Kate Robb (60) is the fourth generation of the family business established by her great-grandfather George Gibb in 1908 in the Hall Place premises it still occupies today.
The move to a modern system, with an online presence, new tills and stock control covering the Ely branch too, was borne out of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Kate said: “During the pandemic, we had some stock on eBay to try and keep some income coming in and pay the bills.
“We’d been looking at going online for a while but it was finding the right company to work with. We realised then we needed to get on with it.
“I’m really pleased that we found ex-Clarks employees who were reps so they know our business and we know them.
“They understand the particular issues of online retail footwear.”
Kate says Gibbs will always be committed to the importance of providing a “sit and fit” service with measuring and advice, particularly for children.
“My staff have so much experience of footwear and fit,” she added. “They’re quite passionate about the job and looking after people’s feet.”
The new system will offer an appointment system for the busy back to school periods and click and collect will be available in due course.
The business has a bright future with the fifth generation – Kate’s daughter Emma – having joined in October 2020 and bringing with her expertise to establish an in-store footcare clinic in Spalding.
Emma was the one to set up and drive the success of the eBay shop.
She said: “Having a shop in the high street isn’t enough anymore. If people didn’t shop online before the pandemic, they do now.
“eBay went really well for us and we’ll look to continue that as well.
“I’m excited about it.”
Kate said: “I’m proud that we’re running the business together – two women taking it on too.”
The Ely shop was established in the 1980s after Gibbs’ Peterborough store was compulsorily purchased as part of the Queensgate development.
