Cordners

I am here to provide an alternative prospectus on Cordners from a male point of view.
If you are a man Cordners is definitely not the shop for you.
I thought I would help male Unilocalers out by doing a bit of field research in Cordners. My findings are as follows. There is very little choice for men, they have about a metre of shelving dedicated to men’s shoes and this is split between trainers and brogues. I think there were around 20 pairs of show shoes in total for men. Don’t get me wrong this place is amazing for Kids and ladies but if you are a man and like a bit of choice then I would steer clear of Cordners.
After all men do not have the same affection for shoes as women do and Cordners are just catering to the target market of shoe lovers.

From the outside this place looks really old fashioned with a display of childrens plain black shoes in the windows. Don’t be fooled or put off — go in as this little shoe heaven stocks more than just kiddies kickers.
The day I wandered in they had a massive 50% off sale on and I was mesmerized by the huge selection on the sale rail.
I have a beautiful pair of wedding shoes but I am concerned they may be too high so I am hunting for a lower pair. I have a few in reservation right now but there is no harm in looking again.
I went to the size 8 section and couldn’t believe how many lovely low and high sandals, slingbacks and court shoes they had. A variety from Spain, Italy and Germany ranging in price from about £70 to £15. I tried on loads before the shop assistant dragged me back to earth by speaking to me.
I didn’t buy anything this time but I will be back. I was impressed with the prices, the non-​interfering staff and the selection. I was also really impressed with the fact that all styles of shoes were together so while I was trying on the glitzy, glamorous shoes an elderly lady next to me was trying on a pair of sensible shoes!

This place was absolutely jam-​packed when I visited it today. Shoes strewn everywhere, disinterested children having their feet measured, irksome teenagers attempting to find school shoes, OAPs digging through the piles of sale shoes… it was crazy with a capital C.
I used to come to Cordners to get my school shoes when I was younger (ah, those were the days), and usually managed to get a pair I liked since there was a decent choice. The best aspect of the shop is that the back section is dedicated entirely to children’s footwear, and it even has its own entrance off Mary Street South. Perfect for those who don’t want to be mobbed by a pile of screaming five year olds.
The rest of the shop (entrance off Conway Square) is currently a mish-​mash of sale items — women’s on the left hand side, men’s on the right. With customers and staff scuttling everywhere, I didn’t get a great look at the shoes, but there really is a huge choice — everything from Ecco to Irregular Choice for the ladies, and everything from to Kickers to Wrangler for the men. I’ll be back on a slightly less mad day, I told myself.
As with most shoes shops, you have your insoles, balsams, polishes and the like, and I’ve often popped into Cordners for a pair of £1.99 insoles. I seem to be one of those people who try a pair of shoes on in the shop, they fit perfectly, and then I go home, and they’re suddenly too big. Most annoying thing. Cordners has thus been something of a life saver for me in terms of shoes fitting properly.
Perhaps avoid Cordners for a few weeks ’til the kids go back to school (unless that’s your reason for going), and you’ll find a range of good quality, reasonably priced shoes. What could be better?