It is actually more of a re-branding than a new store as the location had been a Jones Bootmaker store until 2018 when it became a Pavers store, a move that mirrors its recent history.
Jones Bootmaker was founded in London in 1857 by husband and wife, Alfred and Emma Jones. Their empire expanded as nine of their eleven sons went on to open their own stores, all trading under the name of A.S. Jones and Sons.
An innovative, forward-looking company, they were among the first retailers to introduce electric light to their stores and they began the tradition of making and stocking shoes in three different widths – a practice still followed by the shoe industry today.
In 1955, Jones joined with another great British shoemaker, Church & Co, and was rebranded as Jones Bootmaker. When Prada bought Church & Co in 2001, Jones were sold a private investor, then to a financial consortium in 2006, to MacIntosh Retail Group in 2010, and then to Allen Investors in 2015.
At risk of going into liquidation, Jones was acquired by Endless LLP in 2017, and having had the stores saved, was sold to Pavers in February 2018.
Pavers have re-established the Jones brand with newly designed collections for own brands Jones Bootmaker, Jones London, Jones 24-7, and Forever Jones which will be sold in the Leamington Spa store alongside brands such as Ecco, Birkenstock, Gabor, Loake, Timberland, and Bugatti. The range includes footwear for men, women, and children.
As well as the name change, the shop has been completely refitted with a new interior as well as the new exterior branding.
The area manager of Jones Bootmaker, Sharon Bailey, said "We are very excited to open in Leamington. We know the town has requested this for a while and we are happy to finally make their wish come true with amazing quality shoes and timeless style".
Customers who aren't in Leamington or nearby can shop at more than 35 Jones Bootmaker stores across the UK or can buy online.
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