Nestled in the beautiful county town of Shrewsbury is Toggs and Cloggs, another business close to the Start-Rite family ethos. In 2006 when Anthea and Ceri had both become mums, looking for a new challenge, they decided to open a business together that would fit around their family lives. Toggs and Cloggs is now a thriving business with multiple locations.
Toggs and Cloggs has two physical shops, supported by an active online store. The first shop is on the main street in the busy and thriving market town of Newport and the second shop is located just off the historical square in the county town of Shrewsbury, the birthplace of Charles Darwin.
Toggs and Cloggs originally launched as a Start-Rite shoe stockist and a childrenswear retailer. Ceri explains, "We both loved Start-Rite as a brand with traditional values and the promise of quality products. At the time, Start-Rite was looking to have a presence in our area and we felt that the brand would be great for us.”
Anthea and Ceri are passionate about children wearing quality fitted footwear and were keen from day one for this to be heavily advocated throughout their locations. In fact, this passion for quality footwear has seen them more recently embark into women’s footwear.
They have found casual footwear styles have become more and more popular in recent years as parents look for value-for-money. Well-made, durable but casual ‘cross over’ styles are suitable for a variety of activities and events, for example parties, playdates, family get-togethers and weddings, so parents love the versatility of them.
Ceri also notes that canvas shoes have become a summer staple as they are super practical. Parents love that quality canvas shoes can be washed in the washing machine, and children love that they come in options of summery colours and fun prints, offering a cool and comfortable experience, whatever the British summertime weather throws at us!
Many of the Start-Rite school shoes are favourites in the shop as the team has such confidence in Start-Rite’s excellent fit, style and quality. They mention Rhino Warrior, Impact, Star Jump, Poppy and Luke as styles that, when pushed they would single out as all round favourites. However, they also love Play House in Pink Leather with its funky pink sole, as little girls are always drawn to the colour in the shop, and parents appreciate the practical double rip-tape style for active and independent little girls. Club House in Navy for the boys is also mentioned as a popular choice, being a great fitting shoe with cool colour combinations and a casual yet smart look.
Toggs and Cloggs has family at its heart. It is a close-knit team of mums and grandmothers, who all love spending time with children. Many have had their own children grow up in the Toggs and Cloggs family, working in the shops during school holidays as well as modelling in fashion shows in the early days. Grown up now, they are all still known to help out in the shops when needed during super busy periods.
Jemima, Anthea’s daughter, is running the London Marathon this year to raise money for Phab Kids charity. To support her and to raise awareness of the charity, Toggs and Cloggs are running a competition to win a £100 voucher, with donations made to the Phab charity. The team are also active supporters of local charities throughout the year.
We’re proud to shine a light on our retailers who are so important to us and their local communities and enjoy sharing how so many of them hold the same values as Start-Rite, putting quality, children and family at the centre of everything we do.
