The Story So Far...
During the first 80 years
In 1886 Joseph Cheaney founded J. Cheaney, Boot and Shoemakers in Desborough, Northamptonshire and was joined by his son, Arthur in 1890, moving to the present site in 1896. At the turn of the century, Joseph's other son, Harold, joined the business and in 1903, the company became J. Cheaney & Sons which continued to develop and prosper. In 1930, Joseph Humphrey 'Dick' Cheaney, grandson of the founder, joined the company. On his return from service with the RAF in the Second World War, 'Dick' Cheaney pursued a policy producing the most finely crafted shoes for export as well as the home trade, and this has survived to the present day. In 1966, Cheaney won the Queen's Award to Industry and was sold to Church & Company plc.
In August 2009, William and Jonathan Church carried out a management buy-out of the Cheaney business from Church & Co, and they now own and operate the company. Both William and Jonathan are fully committed to producing footwear entirely made in England.
The new website will feature over 80 new designs for Autumn/Winter 2010, as well as some perennial favourites, all featuring the very finest craftsmanship. It takes eight weeks to make a pair of Cheaney shoes in the same factory in Desborough, involving around 160 hand operations, from cutting the leather through to finishing, combining the best of contemporary design with superb quality.
Our new online shop will offer UK customers the opportunity to purchase from a wide range of footwear. Joseph Cheaney & Sons has been in existence for 124 years and the online shop is the next chapter in a great history of traditional values and excellence in quality and design.
