Shoe repair shop
Resole, reheel and restore shoes and bags from a small high street unit, with key cutting as an extra.
- £8k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
374 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 95230 “Repair of footwear and leather goods”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small shop that repairs footwear and leather goods: new soles and heels, stitching, stretching, polishing and zip or strap fixes. Many shops also add key cutting and engraving.
Your first three steps
- Learn the trade through a short course, a trial week in an established repairer or an apprenticeship
- Look at small units on local high streets, in shopping centres or near stations, and compare rent with likely footfall
- Price up a starter set of machines and materials, and set a price list after checking what nearby repairers charge
Who pays
Local shoppers, commuters, office workers and people with good shoes or boots they want to keep.
How it makes money
A set price per repair, such as heel tips, resoling or stitching, plus extra sales from key cutting, polish, laces and insoles.
Skills that help
- Hands-on repair work
- Patience and attention to detail
- Friendly counter service
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and cover for customers' items left in your care
- Lease terms, business rates and any rent deposit before you sign for premises
- Glues, dyes and machinery: check ventilation, safe use and any local council or fire safety requirements
- Slow early months while people get to know you, so keep some cash in reserve
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: shoe repair shop
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a shoe repair shop in the UK?
Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on the premises, equipment and stock you need. Check lease terms, business rates and any rent deposit before you sign for a unit.
How much can a shoe repair shop make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on location, the services you offer and how quickly local people get to know you. Early months can be slow, so keep some cash in reserve.
What rules should I check before opening a shoe repair shop?
Check public liability insurance and cover for customers' items left in your care. Also check ventilation, safe use of glues, dyes and machinery, and any local council or fire safety requirements, along with lease terms and business rates.
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Photo: GermansLat on Pixabay