This is without doubt my favourite Brighton shoe shop. This business has seen me through many a pair of New Rock boot and trainer. More recently they have supplied me with my current collection of Loblan boots. The shop takes up a couple of units on Gardner street and it was their stocking off New Rock boots that led me through the door a number of years back. If you are into your metal footwear then this is the place for you. I only ever bought a single pair of 'big' boots and they also sell alternative New Rock trainers that aren't quite so full on, but still unique in design. Be warned that the price tags on these brands are coming in at £60 - £130, but trust me one pair will last a long time. In the adjoining room, they have an impressive range of authentic Loblan cowboy and outback boots. I'm still kicking about in both my cowboy and outback boots from here and they have both lasted a good 3-4 years. Again, expect to pay over £100, but be assured that you are buying top quality footwear that will last all the adventuring you throw at them. There are also a wide range of women's shoes, including quirky designs and more staple classics. Not being a cross dresser, I haven't really paid them much attention, but I would recommend having a look for yourself. The staff are helpful and don't mind bringing a range of shoes/boots for you to try. I'm just gutted that the shoes they sell last for so long, or I would certainly give them my custom more frequently than I do. read more

Vitas Footwear - Taken by me - Shoe Stores Near Me - Brighton, BNH

Vitas Footwear in the North Laines might be my new top pick for shoes and boots. It's a bit on the pricey side, but offers tonnes of solid-yet-stylish looking, high quality footwear. Many of the brand names are recognisable: Dr. Martens, Oxygen and CATS, for example. Styles cover a great range and include casual canvas sneakers, sandals, dress shoes and flats, work boots and wellies plus several risqué thigh-high boots in shiny black and red. Vitas has a few kids pairs, including Crocs in every colour of the rainbow - and a few sale items, mostly displayed on the ledge outside. These cheaper pairs include winter boots, wellies and some cute flats in the £25 - £40 range. Definitely a shop worth checking out if you're strolling the North Laines. read more

Update: I now have experience of their after sales "service" and I'm not impressed so have docked them two stars. Example a) we took back a pair of boots that hadn't been worn because there was a note in the box that said "not suitable for wearing in the rain". This fact had not been apparent at the time of purchase as the boots appeared to be leather but actually weren't. They refused a refund then reluctantly agreed after a lot of fuss to hand over a credit note that was only valid for three months. Example b) I went in to ask about getting replacement laces for some shoes I'd bought there. The laces matched the shoes and were a particularly unusual shade of greyish white. Turns out they don't sell laces and aren't at all interested in helping you find out where to get them. Poor. Most of the stock is not cheap, but then they don't have cheap brands so qed. It's a good place for interesting and sometimes slightly unusual shoes and boots - I like their selection of Gola and some of the Spanish brands - and usually pretty busy so the staff have their work cut out running around finding shoes in the stock room. Some are more knowledgeable than others if you have questions but they're friendly enough. read more

I bought a pair of Blowfish boots there a couple of months ago, unfortunately the zip broke a few days ago leaving me with a pair of boots I could no longer wear. I went back to the store hoping that they could help me find a solution, such as sending the boots back to the manufacturer and give me an exchange... at the end of the day it was the manufacturer's fault, right? The manager was a cow, she never apologized for the inconvenience and told me that the zip broke because I didn't know how to walk properly...??!!. She ended the conversation with a patronizing "Now I have to go and get on with other things my friend". I STRONGLY ADVISE ANYONE AGAINST BUYING IN THIS STORE. Not only do they sell low quality shoes but they are extremely rude. I was however very relieved to read other reviews and see that I wasn't the only one to have had this kind of experience. read more

DO NOT SHOP HERE!!! I signed up here just to write a review of this place as I am outraged at the poor level of customer service. I bought a pair of shoes a couple of weeks ago and very soon the stitching came undone on the side. I also noticed the stitching was faulty on the other side. Took them into the shop for a refund after emailing the supplier (oxygen shoes) who said to do so. Well, I was told that the manager would have to check them over then they would get back to me. So I wait, and I wait.... In the 9 days that passed I called twice and got fobbed off both times. So I went in to see the manager with the letter from Oxygen saying to go in to claim a refund. What can I say? I have never been treated that badly as a customer. He refused me the money because he didn't want to, quote "lose his share of the money". We argued for about an hour about how come it was that Oxygen were willing to give me a refund for their share but he wouldn't refund his part. This man is an as**e! I even had a customer step in to say that she too had the same problem 2 years back, and that it took her 3 months and the threat of legal action to get the money back. Guess what he said to her? "Well why have you come back in here then?"!! I refused to leave the shop until he asked one of the assistants to call security. She apologised to me and I left. I spoke to Oxygen shoes later on and they have said they will try and arrange a goodwill payment to me for the full price, but I feel bad because why should they? This man is stubborn and greedy, AVOID!!!! I've just read so many other similar reviews on other review sites, this is a common experience! read more

WARNING! Some Retailers understand the value of customer care and loyalty, these guys, probably due to their busy location, care not for it at all. They are disrespectful and do not abide by simple trading standards. Would rather loose a customer, demonstrate the nasty side of human nature than do their job by replacing faulty goods. They can't be bothered to act professionally or take the matter up with their suppliers. All about ensuring they never loose on a sale no matter how poor the performance of the goods has been. They stock a good range of highly desirable Brightonesk gear to attract the unsuspecting customer into what is a very busy outlet. If you return anything make sure they put what you have agreed in writing including the fact you have returned the items. Staff are in fear of the owner and deliberately avoid doing so which gives you not a leg to stand on once you are out of the shop .Shame on you read more

Firstly, this review is more of a reflection of the service I received at this shop. That being said, I am giving one star because I can't give it zero stars. My friend and I were visiting Brighton for a few days coming from London. We spent most of the day (Tuesday, 14 July) shopping and he wanted to get a new pair of desert boots. We popped into vitas because it looked unique and cool and we like to support local businesses. When we walked in the girl that was working looked up and did not say a word to us. I thought that this was rude, but didn't really pay much attention. We picked out a few pairs to try that were each about £90, but still she didn't ask us if we needed up finding anything or if we wanted to try anything on. Finally, my friend went and asked her if she could bring his size and she said yes. Instead of going to get the shoes. She stood behind the counter and continued to put stickers on the boxes of new stock. At this point, more people came into the shop who asked questions and she chatted with them. After about 10 minutes of waiting, we got so fed up we decided to leave. As we walked out my friend apologized to her, but told her that we had to go and she laughed. This was probably the most rude and baffling bit. I completely understand having to wait if a store is busy, but to completely disregard customers when they are the only people in the shop is really unacceptable to me. I don't really understand why someone would work in customer service if they really can't be asked to deal with customers. read more

Beware of this shop! It looks like a great little independent but just below the surface the owners are bullies who have a zero customer service policy. Check out your customer rights before you purchase anything from here. I brought a £70 pair of shoes that broke completely within three weeks and was refused a refund. The owner was hostile and threatening and said three weeks was a perfectly acceptable length of time for shoes to last. When I checked online I discovered loads of people who had been bullied by them and refused their money back. So I called trading standards checked out my rights and stood up for myself. I took 4 weeks of official letters and a threat of court action before she reluctantly refunded me - a horrid experience but at least I got my money back, many others haven't. read more

Bought some boots from here last year they lasted two months and ten days. The staff seems very practiced at dealing with returned faulty items. Tactics are along these lines, -send item to head office -fob off, -fob off, -ignore. I have exchanged numerous letters with them over the past five months. They have failed to reply to my last two letters, the second recorded delivery over a month and a half ago. I am told by trading standards that I have no option but to take them to court if they won't reply to my letters. It digusts me that this shop blatently ignores it duties to its customers. AVOID THIS SHOP LIKE THE PLAGUE- POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS AND THE STAFF ARE WORSE. All reviews are 1 star on qype. read more

This is the worst shoe shop in Brighton. The staff are ridiculously rude & unhelpful, and after returning some faulty boots earlier this year (the soles fell apart after 6 weeks), I am still waiting for them to fix the shoes for me, as they refused to refund me even though I had proof of purchase! Each time I call to chase, I get a different member of staff, each equally unhelpful and rude. After receiving a letter finally a week ago to say they would fix them for me as 'a gesture of goodwill!', I chased them today to see when I might get them back and they lovely member of staff, Mrs Camino, told me when she feels like going to collect them from the repairers! She then hung up on me. I would highly recommend steering clear of Vitas. read more

The shoes in this shop are great and many are unique. HOWEVER I have been to this shop many times once i purchased a pair of £80 boots. I bought them because i loved them so much i couldn't let the sales assistants attitude stop me. I think she was the manager from her general attitude. She left me feeling like i was inconviniencing her by asking for a size of shoe. My first purchase was in 2009 and if it wasn't for the love of my boots i wouldn't have purchased them from someone with such a low level of customer service. i recentley went back 2012 to purchase another pair. I loved the boots but i couldn't bring myself to spend money in a shop where the staff member tutted in my face for asking for assistence. I feel in this current echinomic climate its sad that someone can ruin a show shopping experience! read more

Absolutely love the shoes but some of the staff are so indifferently rude it just makes you want to walk out. This is a real shame because as I say the shoes are fab and if you get them on a good day you will be treated politely. Unfortunately I went in today to buy some shoes I've had my eyes on for a while and was initially served by a lovely girl who was very polite and helpful. Tried shoes on and took them to the counter where another girl was standing. Stood there for a while waiting to be asked if I needed any help. The shoes I was buying were on the counter I have to add. Nothing. I eventually had to say, "I'd like to buy these please". She begrudgingly rang it up and put them in a bag for me. The thing that really annoyed me was that she didn't even put them in a box. Or offer me a box. I know this might sound really petty, but I really think that customer service is sort of paramount. If you like good shoes and can handle surly rude staff then shop here, because the shoes are great. As are some of the staff. read more

DONT BUY FROM HERE. I returned a pair of shoes which had fallen apart and the manager was immediately rude and defensive. I was shocked but remained calm and politely pointed out that I hadn't come in for an argument. As she refused to offer any form of understanding or compensation I said that I wouldn't buy from the shop again, she told me that she didn't want customers like me and not to buy in her shop again!!! I was so shocked, I will take her word for it and never buy from her again, neither will my friends. As I walked out she her turned to her shop assistant and angrily say, 'I can't believe it...' So unprofessional, they don't have a clue about customer service and sell poor quality products, I'm surprised they're still in business. Unfortunately I have to give them 1 star but they don't deserve it. read more

Don't ever buy any shoe here their returns policy is zero and the non branded shoes are of poor quality which will last about 2-3 wears. The manageress is extremely rude unhelpful and ignorant about the sale of goods act. load of aul rubbish.. read more

The shoes look attractive and well made but beware. We bought brogues for £35 and the heels wore half way down in two weeks. The manageress said we must have scraped them on the pavement and it wasn't normal wear and tear. They refused repair or refund. I've found similar reviews on several sites. No-one gets their money back. Every gets fobbed off. read more

awful awful customer service. boots lasted about 2 months!! before they started to rip. sales people wouldn't have any of that, and ended up saying id have to pay postage to return, if I wanted them to look at the boots. they said it wasn't their fault and I cant complain that the boots are broken and low quality coz id had them for two months?????? im sorry love....this is not a block of cheese we are talking about!!! boots should last longer than that! these people know nothing about footwear....just how to take your money! DO NOT shop at this store! read more

This shop offers perhaps the WORST customer service I have come across in life. The manageress is rude and evasive. I LOVE shoes but not this shop under the present management! If I spend near on £100 on a pair of shoes and they fall apart I expect at LEAST sympathy (if not a replacement or repair) from the manager of the shop that sold them to me.... Not so at Vitas. Make your own mind up if you want tho shop there. I never will again .....big loss Mrs Vitas! read more

I have been buying shoes here for over a year and, up until today, have had nothing to complain about. I bought a pair of 'Hey Dude Wally' shoes in July and have worn them about ten times. I noticed that the stitching has come away on the top at the front and a gaping hole started to appear. Naturally I took the shoes back and showed the manageress the fault. These are expensive shoes and I do not expect them to fall apart after only a few wears. I was summarily dismissed as I do not still have the receipt. I was challenged by the manageress here, who more or less asked me to prove that I bought the shoes at this shop. I have bought several pairs of 'Hey Dudes' at this shop and the assistant actually recognised me as a returning customer! I was told that they require customers to keep receipts for at least six months to prove purchase, but nobody told me this at the time of purchase! I have told the manageress that I will never return to Vitas as I am disgusted by the way that I have been treated. I am going to be complaining in writing to Drooth Ltd the manufacturers of Hey Dude Shoes. I will be telling them about the shoddy way that one of their outlets are treating their customers. My advice is to ensure that you keep your receipts and check your consumer rights when using Vitas. A shoddy outfit at best. read more