I do love a good local shop front, so was in awe when I saw Baddeleys…read more It's very old fashioned looking and has a gorgeous navy blue, (or is that royal blue? I always get my blues mixed up) coat of paint all over it. Shoe repairs aren't something I'm ever in need of, but key cutting is because i'm always losing them. I nipped down the road and was greeted by a friendly man on his own in the shop, he cut a spare for my door key in a matter of minutes and sent me on my way a few quid lighter. I could have gone to a Timpson's in Morrissons but when there are wonderful local businesses to support it makes no sense to go to a slightly soulless chain. They also offer and engraving service.

Despite having one of the least masculine shop names in its industry (second only to Gay's just…read moredown the road), Snowy's is an old school shop that provides a good service to the town. While predominantly a key cutters, they also offer a good shoe repair service that will ensure you get your money's worth out of every pair. In addition to these services, Snowy's also offers a range of trophies for purchase as well as an engraving service, which is ideal for sports occasions or special presentations. They also offer t-shirt printing at a more than reasonable price, just £8 for front and back printing. This is particularly useful for group holidays or stag and hen do's and the service is usually very fast, with shirts often ready within hours. For any one of these services, Snowy's provides a quick, efficient service at a reasonable price and very decent quality.

snowys is a well run pleasent helpful buissness i always go there for any shoe repairs/key.cutting…read moreor engraving i need done had the engraving done there for my two daughters 18th and 21st birthdays on their knecklaces and they dida fantastic job . the staff are always welcoming and ready to answer any questions you may have allround top rated

This is a shop inside the historic Cardiff Market. An old Victorian building that offers products…read moreand services from local traders. But poor, old Yan & Sons. I say this because if you enter the Cardiff Market from the St Mary's Street end then you'll go past a big Timpson branch who offer shoe repairs and key cutting and various other services. If you walk a little further and into the main market you'll see Yan & Sons perched on the left hand side offering much the same service. They're just smaller. OK, a lot smaller. But there's an up side to their size and flow of custom - a quicker, more personal service for you. They offer a while-you-wait service for their key cutting and shoe repairs and various other bits and bobs they do, which isn't really an issue seen as you're in the Cardiff Market, one of my favourite place to wander around. As with all the traders in the market, they are long-time experts in their field, so they will offer advice and guidance that you can trust.

You don't have to be Carrie Bradshaw to know the pains of broken heels. The love you feel for…read moreinanimate objects can be as strong whether you choose brand-spanking-new Manolo Blahniks or car boot sale treasure. Come to think of it, that could be a metaphor for life. This heel bar is owned and run by a friendly pair of brothers Andrew and John. They can fix up your favourite shoes and cut you a spare pair of house keys while you wait, or you can do your grocery shopping or grab a cuppa in the market's many cafes and then nip back for them. Amazing. I've also got a strange fascination with the noises that key cutting machines make too, not sure why, I just do.

J B Shoe Repairs is a modern little cobblers on Clifton Street. It appears to be doing okay despite…read morethe drop in trade that other businesses have experienced since the new one way system was implemented by the council about a year ago. Trade has certainly not been as badly affected as it has at some of the others. As well as mending shoes they offer a reasonably priced key cutting service as well as an engraving service. I've been meaning to call in with my boots so that I can get them re-heeled and resoled in readiness for the winter. The only problem is that it hasn't stopped chucking it down for a long enough period for me to take them in! I think I'm going to have to resort to marching in there whilst wearing them and wait unshod whilst they fix them up on the spot. I've done it before! (It's not quite the same as the Levi laundrette ads!!!)

Dry Cleaning shop at it's tiniest. Essentially only half a shop front. But if you just want to drop…read moreyour dry cleaning off then what else do you need? Sometimes when I go there it's closed, even though its supposed to be open. This is because the lady who works there needs to go to the loo, or buy a coffee, or chat to someone she's just seen passing. Being the lady in the dry cleaning shop probably isn't the most stimulating of jobs and you do have to smell dry cleaning and those strange plastic wrappers all the time. So who can blame her for popping out. However she will be back shortly so twiddle your thumbs or buy a coffee or chat to someone passing. A little confusingly they are sometimes also called Cathedral Cleaners and that's because they are part of a group that does have a branch near the Cathedral. They also arrange carpet cleaning and shoe repair.

Cobblers are a bit of a dying breed. They're getting harder to find, and when you do find one it…read moreseems to be a chain. Well, this cobbler is a proper cobbler. He really mends shoes and he does a pretty good job of it. It is amazing how a pair of shoes that otherwise look knackered, or that have an unsuitable sole, can be transformed for a fraction of the price of a new pair. I have a pair of proper, American cowboy boots and I love them. Really soft and comfy. But they were on their way out and they leaked, the heel was gone, it was awful. A quick trip to Canton Cobblers and they were like new again and are still going strong. The cobbler can be a bit aloof, and sometimes it might take a few days, but if he is that busy then that must be a good sign. There are always loads of shoes behind the counter, and there are loads of proper cobbler type things and gadgets. He also does key cutting (why do those two always go together? Odd really) and he sells handbags.

I took my large leather medical type bag for a zip replacement. This was the only place that would…read moreeven look at it for me. The zip was repaired and for a very good price too. I'm very happy with the customer service given, which was thoroughly excellent. My bag has been salvaged and can now be used again. Thank you

Great to see bay tree shoe repairs open again under new management since Feb 2010 and offering so…read moremany services to the community such as watch repairs, clock repairs, dry cleaning, duvets laundered , engraving, patching and stitching, Key Cutting, replacement watch batteries , replacement watch straps,

I have been using this shop for years. The staff (owners) are really helpful if you need anything,…read morejust ask. Think they are the only place to get keys cut in town now, and they are very reasonably priced for shoe repairs too. Great for saving that pair of shoes you cant bear to part with. Bags etc have always been good quality and lasted me ages (normally only get a new one because I get bored of them! lol. Love this shop!