Putting The Golden Boot In

I took a quick trip into town today for some shopping and I thought I should take the chance to celebrate The Golden Boot for today's blip.
The Golden Boot is truly unique. It's the longest-running, family-owned and independent shoe shop in the country. It was originally established by William Randall in 1790, before being taken over by another family member in the mid 19th Century and named F.W Randall & Co Ltd. A large golden boot has been its emblem since this time, with various examples being affixed to the shop front (which as you can see is still the case today) and it would eventually take this on as its trading name.
It has been serving the people of Maidstone and the surrounding areas through seven generations of shoemakers, merchants and traders. The shop was once a single property on Gabriel's Hill but has expanded over the last 233 years and now occupies eight properties including the original.
My memories of the shop were not always happy as every year a visit would signal the end of the summer holidays when my mum would take us kids to get our feet measured and new school shoes purchased - and before you ask, this was in the 1970's not the 1790's!