I own Loakes, Trickers, John Lobb shoes and am very fussy about how they're looked after. I find the Master Cobbler in Upper St better and quicker than sending them for repair to the original companies. Their attention to detail is excellent and, Tim, who I dealt with recently is friendly, helpful and an old school craftsman. I can't recommend them enough. read more

Jimmy at The Master Cobbler is my hero of the year! Our son's beloved Dr Marten shoes were approaching total destruction, with the top leather having worn through so you could see his socks. Jimmy reviewed pictures, before we traveled in from Herefordshire for a London visit, and assured us that he could save them. Sure enough, we arrived into the shop, spoke with Jimmy and one week later we got the following text from our son, "Reunited!! They're super!! He's done a terrific job!! And what is visible of the stitching works so well aesthetically with the shoe!!" Jimmy, thank you so much for this early Christmas present - you're worth your weight in gold!! read more

Went in for heel replacement on my boot. Paid £15 upfront and I felt like that was a lot, but from other feedback, apparently it's a good price. I'll say it's a fair/standard price, not a rip off, but not cheap either. They "brush" your boot clean as a service, but they do not "polish" it. There's a difference. If you want your boot "polished" eg. creams etc., it'll be £15 extra. The "While-U-Wait" might be for keys or something small, because when I asked if I could wait for my boots, they said they were busy and wouldn't be ready till closing time that day. I thought that was okay, at least it was ready same day. My boots looks clean and the replacement heels looks like a good job. *Credit card charge is £10 minumum read more

The Master Cobbler - Store front - Shoe Repair Near Me - London, XGL

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The Master Cobbler is a tiny store in Islington that does a whole bunch of things. I initially went in here to get two keys cut. One of them could not be done as I needed the master key but the other was no problem and cost me 5.99. They also repair shoes. All kinds of shoe work in fact ie replacing heals, soles, glue the leather etc. Most of this can also be done either while you wait or within a couple of hours. The staff here are very helpful and seem to know their stuff. read more

The Master Cobbler - Shoe Repair Near Me - London, XGL

I am so so upset and regrtful that I took my bag strap here to get shortened. I aske them if they were able to shorten my bag strap in a way that wasn't noticeable. They assured me they could easily, it's a quick job and will not be detectable. I collect my strap yesterday. This is so hugely upsetting. My strap can't get fixed now without becoming too short as the leather is damaged and scuffed. There are overlapping unequal stitches. (Have no idea how they managed to do such a bad job) the leather was cut wonkily, they put GLUE on it which I've had to scrape off. And they've snapped the original stitching. This was a good quality coach bag I treated myself to and only proceeded with the adjustment because the guy at the counter assured me it will be an easy quick job. I am livid. These people should not take jobs in that they clearly do not know how to do. If you want a cheap temporary fix, fine, but if you actually care about some level of apearence steer clear. read more

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While this shop still provides great and quick service, I'm going to have to update this to 2 stars (average to 3 stars) because I found out they did not give me a brand of soles I specifically asked for. I received a cheaper, mass market pair of Good year soles when I had asked for Ishtide brand soles and they said they would order them (I believe they are still distinct companies so hope I'm wrong.) These soles were a bit harder and since I was rushing to get these shoes, I didn't realize until later they were the wrong brand. Alas, always check when you receive your product! read more

I have some dressy boots that after 5 years of living through the streets and weather of NYC needed a lot of help. After moving to London I discovered The Master Cobbler. Their staff is fantastic, prices are reasonable, and after waiting only one week my boots look brand new again. I'm very happy! read more

WOW I feel SO lucky I found the Master Cobbler!! I was traveling in London and relying too heavily on my cross body bag to hold everything I needed while out each day. I definitely over packed my purse, and half way through my trip, the strap of my purse ripped out!! This is maybe something I could have tried to fix on my own at home, but honestly sewing through leather isn't something my needle and thread could handle. I stopped by in the morning, and they were able to quickly sew the strap back in (& even went over it an extra time to make it secure). I was in an absolute bind, and finding this shop to quickly fix my purse so I could easily use it for the rest of my trip was INCREDIBLE!! read more

Please avoid - awful workmanship and customer service. Took boots for new heels, £25, 2 days later heel fell off while away on a break. Apparently no glue had been used - took back to shop, same surly lads as before, no apology but accepted their offer to re -do heel, collected again and to my shock their 'repair' did not involve re-glueing heel but sticking some wood screws through the inside of the shoe. Have taken elsewhere, new cobbler pretty amazed and am waiting for his verdict on what damage they have done to my £250 boots- and of course his bill for putting right. Unless you enjoy surly staff, paying twice for one job, wasting your lunch hours and just a general level of disrespect for the customer and for their own work then please take your business elsewhere because this lot don't give a toss. read more

Master what? Not in a million years..... Obnoxious, overpriced & very poor service. Will not make the same mistake twice, neither should you! read more

If you've got money to burn The Master Cobbler is the place for you. I had the misfortune to take in two pairs of ladies size 7 boots to be re-heeled and soled and asked the guy serving how much it would cost, he quoted me £12 for the heel and £8 for the sole. Or so I thought. This seemed about right to me as I usually get my shoes repaired in South London close to where I work and it is usually around the £18 mark. He gave me two tickets (one for each pair) and I stupidly left without looking at them. It was only when I was leaving my home to collect the boots that I realised that both tickets had £31.90 on them. On arriving at the shop I pointed out that they had written the wrong amount on the tickets to which they replied that they had not and that they had in fact quoted me £12 for the heel and £18 for the sole and initially did not realise that this did not add up to the price on the ticket so continued to argue that this was correct. I told them in no uncertain terms that they had ripped me off. Leaving aside the discrepancy in the quoted price and the ticket price £30 for a rubber heel and sole is almost double what I would normally have paid. They then told me that because my ladies size 7 boots from Boden were so large they had had to use a man size sole to do the job and this had bumped up the price. They proceeded to 'offer' to take £1.90 off of the cost of both boots (I guess they had finally done the math) as though they were bestowing a great favour upon me. Had the boots not cost me £140 each I would have been tempted to walk out without them however I am not sufficiently wealthy enough to do this so I very begrudgingly paid them the £60 pounds and left. As I walked home I passed Armstrong and Butler Dry Cleaners at Highbury Corner. I noticed that they too do shoe repairs so still very angry I went in and showing them my boots asked how much they would have charged to re-heel and sole them. They quoted me £17 for each pair. I asked if they would need to use man sized soles on them and they said no. So I guess what I'm trying to say is if you like being taken for a mug you should feel right at home at The Master Cobbler. However if like me you do not possess the ability to s***t money Armstrong and Butler is a far more reasonable proposition. I will certainly be taking my business there in the future. read more

This place is the type of can-do attitude, yes ma'am I can save your shoes and do it with a smile type of cobbler I so needed after some fatal blows to some of my favorite shoes. I had already received bad news from another cobbler, but decided to seek out a second opinion and was delighted that my second opinion came from The Master Cobbler. They will be saving all of my shoes from now on. read more

If you wear your shoes to death or always forget to get them reheeled at the first sign of nail then this cheap but excellent cobbler is a must visit. Many a time I've taken shoes in that lesser mortals would have consigned to the bin years before and picked them up a few days later looking if not brand new, at least pretty serviceable. This shop can double the life of your old faves. Not only that but they are very accommodating, happy to try and do things by the end of the day if you're desperate and even spraying them with scotchguard for me once cos I didn't want to buy a whole bottle. They also do quite cheap key cutting. read more

I have taken 5 pairs of shoes to the Master Cobbler and they have never failed. On this last visit, I brought them a favourite pair of boots that were in serious need of rehabilitation. The soles were coming off, the fronts were torn up and damaged, and there was serious marking. Considering the boots cost me $300, needing £29 for major refurb was ok by me. Other visits were much cheaper, in the £9-10 range for reheeling, or even once where I had torn the leather on a pair of heels. I get my husband's reheeling done here as well, and he is really rough on his shoes. I highly recommend these guys. read more

I have a favourite pair of boots, which have started looking a bit sorry for themselves and letting in water :( So in a bid to rejuvenate them I trawled the web for cobblers with a good reputation. I read a couple of really good reviews about the Master Cobbler on Upper Street and trekked there after work and boy was it worth the trip! My boots received a total new year's transformation...new heels, new soles and a good old polish to finish them off. The workmanship was really good and I can now rest safe in the knowledge that I have a friendly cobbler who I can call on for all of my shoe care needs! I highly recommend them. Also, if, like me you're rubbish a buy gorgeous shoes even though they're slightly too small, they have a machine that will stretch your shoes for you! read more

Fantastic service from this cobbler. Took in a pair of Paul Smith shoes, badly neglected - looked like brand new when the Master Cobbler had finished. Will use again - very friendly service too. read more

Being rather on the short side, I often have trouble with across the body bags, unless they have extendable strap, I took such a bag to Master Cobbler, they shortened strap to exact required length, I could see no sign of alteration at all, really excellent job, would highly recommend this little shop, well done Master Cobbler. read more

Took my nurse fob watch in for a new battery - had a lovely guy sort it out for me. Thank you for your kindness!

i took a favourite pair of frye oxfords to this cobbler for new soles/heels after reading the good reviews, then was very annoyed when one of the new heels fell off after only 6 weeks - and when i called to ask if they would re-do the shoe as it had hardly been long, the guy on the phone was very unhelpful, saying there was nothing he could do if i didn't still have my receipt. so a wasted £45 for me, and i will have to try a different cobbler to get back into my fryes! ps - i'm further irked to see the previous reviewer only gets charged a tenner for new heels while mine cost £45?? bottom line, this place has neither reliable service, prices nor product. read more

I had my zipper replaced and the first time I went to use it, it broke. I then had to argue with them about replacing both zipper feet so they would match and they acted like they were doing me a huge favour despite it being their fault in the first place. Would not go back. read more

After being told by others that my boots were irreparable, they did an amazing job. Very prompt, polite efficient service by people who take pride in their work. read more

I went to have my work shoes re-heeled and they were able to have it done in 5-10 minutes and for only £6.99. The service was fast, friendly and not too expensive (certainly cheaper than buying a new pair of heels!). I will definitely be going back. read more

I love this place, I couldn't speak higher about their work. I have had tons of shoes fixed, one which I took to to 4 menders before who all said they couldn't do it but these Cobblers could and did. I have had leather straps replaced on a bag, and fine stitching and rivets fitted seamlessly on the inside of my favourite leather handbag, They are always helpful and provide a solution but if they can't they're honest about it and won't waste your time. Plus their turn around time is great. read more

I have used them a few times and their ok, but last time in was there they charged me £10 to glue the sole of one shoe cos I was in a hurry which is really taking the p***. read more

I was very impressed by the level of service and professionalism at the Master Cobbler - very polite and they dealt with things efficiently, going the extra mile when necessary to sort out a problem with a particular key. Highly recommended! read more