Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that choosing a shoe repair service involves many considerations. Below you'll find answers to common questions about our processes, materials, and turnaround times.

Standard sole replacement typically takes 3-5 working days from the moment we receive your footwear. This timeframe allows us to properly prepare the shoe, select appropriate materials, and ensure proper adhesion and curing time. For leather soles, we recommend an additional day as they require more precise fitting and finishing. During busy periods such as autumn and winter, turnaround may extend to 7 working days. If you need urgent service, we offer express options with 24-48 hour completion for an additional fee, subject to workshop capacity.

We stock a comprehensive range of materials to match different footwear types and customer preferences. For soles, we use Vibram rubber compounds, leather from Italian tanneries, and synthetic materials from German manufacturers. Heels are replaced with materials matching the original specification - rubber, leather stacked, or composite materials. For upper repairs, we maintain an inventory of various leather grades, suede, and synthetic materials in multiple colours. All adhesives are professional-grade products from Renia and Sader, specifically formulated for footwear applications. We can also source specific materials upon request if you have particular requirements.

Yes, we regularly work with high-end footwear from brands including Church's, Loake, Tricker's, and international luxury houses. Our craftsmen have over 15 years of experience handling premium footwear and understand the construction methods used by different manufacturers. We take extra care with luxury items, using hand-stitching where appropriate and selecting materials that match the original quality. For Goodyear-welted shoes, we can perform full resoles while preserving the original welt. We also handle delicate materials such as patent leather, exotic skins, and embellished uppers. Each luxury item receives a detailed assessment before work begins, and we'll contact you if we identify any concerns.

All repairs come with a 90-day workmanship guarantee covering the specific work we performed. This means if a sole we attached comes loose or a heel we replaced fails due to our workmanship, we'll rectify it at no charge. The warranty covers materials and labour for the repaired area only. It does not extend to normal wear and tear, damage from misuse, or issues with parts of the shoe we didn't repair. For example, if we replace your sole and later the upper stitching fails, that would not be covered as it's unrelated to our work. We keep detailed records of all repairs, so simply bring your footwear back with your receipt if you experience any issues within the warranty period.

A half sole covers the front portion of the shoe from the ball of the foot to the toe, representing approximately 60% of the sole area. This is often sufficient when only the forefoot shows wear while the heel and middle sections remain intact. A full sole replacement involves removing and replacing the entire bottom surface from toe to heel. Full soles are necessary when wear extends beyond the forefoot or when the existing sole has deteriorated throughout. Half soles typically cost £25-35 and take less time, while full soles range from £45-65 depending on material choice. For shoes with significant overall wear, a full sole provides better value as it addresses all areas at once rather than requiring multiple repairs over time.

Zip replacement is one of our most requested services for boots. We can replace broken zips on ankle boots, knee-high boots, and riding boots. The process involves carefully removing the old zip without damaging the surrounding leather or lining, then hand-stitching a new zip that matches the original specifications. We stock metal and nylon zips in various lengths and colours. For boots with decorative or concealed zips, we take extra care to maintain the original appearance. Zip replacement typically takes 5-7 working days and costs between £35-55 depending on boot height and zip type. In some cases where only the slider is damaged, we can replace just that component for £15-20, which is completed within 2 working days.

Several factors determine whether restoration makes economic sense. Footwear with Goodyear welt construction, Blake stitch, or hand-welted construction can typically be repaired multiple times, making them excellent candidates regardless of current condition. Shoes that originally cost over £150 usually justify repair expenses. Sentimental value also matters - wedding shoes, inherited items, or discontinued styles may warrant repair regardless of replacement cost. Conversely, cemented construction shoes (where the sole is only glued) have limited repair potential, especially if the upper shows significant wear. We offer free assessments where we examine the construction, material condition, and extent of damage. We'll honestly advise whether repair is worthwhile or if replacement would be more practical. Bring your footwear in for an evaluation - there's no obligation to proceed.

We handle repairs on premium trainers and sports footwear, particularly models with stitched construction or higher-quality materials. This includes brands such as New Balance, certain Nike models, and European sports shoe manufacturers. Common repairs include sole regluing, upper stitching reinforcement, and eyelet replacement. However, many modern trainers use injection-moulded construction where the sole cannot be separated from the upper without destruction, making them unsuitable for traditional repair methods. We can assess your specific trainers to determine feasibility. For running shoes, we generally don't recommend repair once the midsole compression becomes evident, as this affects performance and injury risk. Bring your sports footwear in for evaluation - we'll provide an honest assessment of what's possible and advisable.

We accept multiple payment options for your convenience. Cash payments are welcome at our workshop. We process card payments including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express through our chip and pin terminal, with contactless available for amounts under £100. Bank transfers can be arranged for larger orders or corporate accounts - we'll provide our details upon request. Payment is typically due when you collect your repaired footwear, though we require a 50% deposit for repairs exceeding £100 or for custom work requiring special material orders. For regular customers, we can establish account terms with monthly invoicing. We provide detailed receipts for all transactions, which include the warranty information for your repair work.

Colour matching is part of our standard service for leather repairs. We maintain a stock of commonly used leather shades including black, brown, tan, burgundy, and navy. For less common colours, we use professional leather dyes and finishes to match your footwear. The process involves selecting the closest base leather, then applying custom-mixed dyes to achieve the exact shade. We can also blend colours to match aged or patinated leather. For suede and nubuck, we stock various shades and can brush-dye to match if needed. Perfect matches are achievable on newer footwear, while older shoes with significant patina may show slight variation due to the natural ageing process. We'll show you the matched material before proceeding with the repair to ensure you're satisfied with the colour correspondence.

We provide postal service for customers unable to visit our London workshop. You can post your footwear to our address with a note describing the required repairs and your contact details. We'll assess the items, contact you with a quote, and proceed upon your approval. Return postage costs £8.50 for standard service or £12 for next-day delivery, added to your repair invoice. For local customers within 5 miles of SW17, we offer collection and delivery for orders over £75, charged at £10 per round trip. Corporate clients with regular requirements can arrange scheduled collection services. We recommend using tracked postal services when sending footwear to us, and we always return items via signed-for delivery. All footwear is photographed upon receipt for record-keeping purposes.

About Hocuse

Restoring footwear with precision and care since 2008

Shoe repair workshop

Our Story

Hocuse began in a small workshop on Elmfield Road in 2008. What started as a single craftsman's dedication to quality footwear restoration has grown into a trusted service for London residents who value their shoes.

The founder, trained in traditional cobbling techniques across Europe, recognized a gap in the market. Many repair shops had closed, leaving people with few options when their favorite shoes needed attention. We opened our doors to fill that need.

Over fifteen years, we've repaired thousands of pairs: leather boots, designer heels, children's school shoes, and vintage footwear. Each pair receives the same careful assessment and skilled work, regardless of brand or price.

15+
Years in Business
12,000+
Pairs Repaired
3
Certified Cobblers
Cobbler at work

What Drives Us

We believe good shoes deserve a second life. Fast fashion encourages disposal, but quality footwear can last decades with proper maintenance. Our work extends the lifespan of shoes, reducing waste while saving customers money.

Every repair is an opportunity to preserve craftsmanship. Whether we're resoling a pair of Church's brogues or replacing a broken heel on everyday boots, we approach each task with the same attention to detail.

Our commitment: We use materials that match or exceed original specifications. Vibram soles, full-grain leather, and reinforced stitching ensure repairs last. If we can't restore a shoe to functional condition, we'll tell you honestly rather than charge for inadequate work.

Core Principles

  • Honest Assessment: We evaluate each shoe and provide realistic repair options with transparent pricing before starting work.
  • Quality Materials: We source leather from UK tanneries and use Vibram soles, YKK zippers, and waxed thread that withstand daily wear.
  • Skilled Workmanship: Our team includes cobblers with 8-12 years of experience, trained in both traditional hand-stitching and modern adhesive techniques.
  • Timely Service: Standard repairs are completed within 5-7 working days. We contact you if complications arise that might extend this timeframe.

Our Expertise

We handle a range of footwear repairs at our London workshop. Sole replacement uses either stitched or cemented construction depending on the shoe type. Heel repairs include full replacement, tip replacement, and height adjustment.

Leather restoration addresses scuffs, tears, and color fading through cleaning, conditioning, and color matching. We also replace zippers, elastic panels, and buckles on boots.

For vintage or designer shoes requiring specialized care, we take extra time to research original construction methods. This ensures repairs maintain the shoe's integrity and value.

Located at 14 Elmfield Road in SW17, we serve customers throughout London. Bring your shoes during business hours Monday through Saturday, and we'll provide a free assessment on the spot.