Jones Bootmaker is a footwear retailer based in the United Kingdom, with forty-two retail outlets throughout the United Kingdom.

History

In 1857, Alfred and Emma Jones opened a footwear shop in

Bayswater Bayswater is an area within the City of Westminster in West London. It is a built-up district with a population density of 17,500 per square kilometre, and is located between Kensington Gardens to the south, Paddington to the north-east, and ...

, London. Jones was a pioneer in the installation of electric lighting in retail premises. Nine of their eleven sons became apprentices and subsequently store owners, trading as A. Jones and sons. A company innovation was the supply of ready made shoes in three widths. After the Second World War, the company expanded, with a warehouse in Eastbourne, the modernisation of existing stores, and the opening of new branches. The growth in Jones' retail outlets outstripped production at their factory; in 1955, the company became a member of the group Church's. A 'City Bootmaker' shop was opened in Manchester in 1994, and in 1996, the company began trading as Jones Bootmaker. After the acquisition of Church's by

Prada Prada S.p.A. (, ; ) is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1913 in Milan by Mario Prada. It specializes in leather handbags, travel accessories, shoes, ready-to-wear, and other fashion accessories. Prada licenses its name and branding t ...

, Jones Bootmaker was sold to a private investor in 2001, and then in 2006 to a financial consortium. It was sold in 2010 to the Macintosh Retail Group, and again in 2015 to Alteri Investors, back by

Apollo Global Management Apollo Global Management, Inc. is an American global private-equity firm. It provides investment management and invests in credit, private equity, and real assets. As of March 31, 2022, the company had $512 billion of assets under management, ...

. Alteri filed an intention to appoint administrators for Jones on 15 March 2017, and the company was purchased in a pre pack administration deal by

Endless LLP Endless is a British private equity firm. It is headquartered at 3 Whitehall Quay, Leeds, with an office at 102 Park Street, Mayfair, Park Street, London W1. In 2017, Endless bought Jones Bootmaker, saving 840 jobs according to BBC. Endless has ...

on 26 March 2017, which saved seventy two of the stores. The chain was purchased from Endless by Pavers Shoes in February 2018.

References

External links

* {{- Shoe companies of the United Kingdom Clothing companies of England Clothing retailers of England British companies established in 1857 Retail companies established in 1857 1857 establishments in England Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom