A Coventry shoe shop established for more than 180 years will be closing a once-popular section in a decision described as ‘heartbreaking.’ Charles Ager on Corporation Street will no longer be selling kids’ shoes from March.
Brothers Charles and Walter Ager established Charles Ager in 1840. It was originally based on Smithford Way.
After the devastating bombing of Coventry during WWII, Charles Ager secured a move to Corporation Street. It has been based there for around 80 years but will now be closing its kids’ section following a ‘huge drop in sales.’
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Owner Chris Hart, from Kenilworth, said people had been coming into Charles Ager to get their kids’ feet measured and then buying shoes from ‘cheaper’ retailers such as Shoe Zone and Sports Direct. He told CoventryLive: “Sales on kids’ shoes have gone down over the last 10 years.
“We get so many people coming in now, and we measure them, and then they go and buy them online, and the trouble is 50 per cent of the ones that came into us were just coming in to get measured. With staff costs the way they are now, we cannot afford to keep doing it.”
Back in 2008, Chris said they were selling around 25,000 kids’ shoes a year, but the figure has declined year-on-year, with just 3,000 pairs sold in 2024. Chris said: “I think the younger generation does not get kids’ feet measured and fitted in the same way they used to.”
Stock has now been discounted with the Charles Ager kids’ section set to close in March. “It is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, with retail, it is a sign of the times,” Chris said.
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