Jason Simmonds

Herring report card

December 23, 2020

It has been a tumultuous year and there are still some tough months ahead but, as the Managing Director of Herring, I wanted to share information about some of the issues we have worked hard on this year.

Firstly, I am glad to say we have avoided making anyone redundant and we look strong for the coming year despite the huge hit that our sector of formal and luxury wear has taken. We have consistently offered a top-rated service despite all the challenges which is a huge achievement from all of our staff.

Secondly, I am proud to say that we have not forced discounts on any of our suppliers or cancelled any orders – we see ourselves as part of an ecosystem so we have tried to support everyone around us in the chain.

Thirdly, we have sent every parcel with carbon-offset since February and we now use a recyclable paper tape to seal our recycled cardboard boxes so that has lightened our environmental impact even further.

We have paid for more than 19,000 DHL shipments to be carbon offset, despite the harsh challenges this year, pressure on margins and so on, because we believe it is a really important part of what we do.

We will be sending a cheque to The Woodland Trust in January to offset the carbon from our 1,500 Royal Mail deliveries and we will continue to offset all our delivery carbon, whatever other challenges we face, in 2021.

Finally, we gave discounts to healthcare workers all around the globe of more than £60,000 during the height of the pandemic. Following on from that, we are now members of the UK Blue Light card scheme so a discount is now always available to those that work so hard to keep us safe.

I hope this makes it clear that Herring is more than just a shoe seller. We are run on principles that have lasted us for nearly 55 years but we are always looking to adapt and improve, as the world changes around us, in an ethical way.

Here’s to a positive 2021.

Jason Simmonds

Herring Shoes

Backing British brands during lockdown

April 7, 2020

When the Prime Minister initiated lockdown at the end of March, millions of workers packed up their laptops and headed home while others accepted furlough leave as they simply could not carry out their jobs anymore.

Among the latter were the shoe factory workers in Northamptonshire. Tricker’s, for example, which continued making shoes through both the World Wars, has had to close for the first time in its 191-year history to respect social distancing regulations and to protect the health of its staff and others. While these traditional factories are unable to manufacture shoes at the moment, we still have plenty of stock to ensure their cashflow does not entirely dry up.

We have long championed British-made shoes and the quality and craftsmanship that goes into them. We use some of these Northamptonshire factories ourselves to make our own Herring shoes and boots while stocking and selling their brands too. Think Loake, Church’s, Cheaney, Barker and so on.

This is why we felt compelled to send out a rallying cry during lockdown to support these traditional British businesses and their workers. Buying British feels more important than ever right now.

We stock all these British brands and more in our warehouse in Kingsbridge, which is being carefully attended to by our lonesome but safe warehouse manager Tony!

Meanwhile, our customer services staff are working from home but remain available to answer your queries. These guys know their shoes and understand the nuances of all these British brands.

Shopping may seem a frivolous pastime these days but if it helps ease your conscience, you really will be supporting some very treasured British businesses during these tough times.

Herring Shoes

Backing the NHS and healthcare workers

March 27, 2020

When the coronavirus crisis hit, none of us were sure how long it would affect us…and we still don’t know. The only thing that was certain was that the NHS would be put under enormous pressure. When I say NHS, I am not just talking financially, but rather the human beings who will be taking the daily strain.

As the Thursday night homage to NHS staff has shown, we are all grateful for what they are doing right now. But as a business, it makes you feel powerless. It was not until my sister-in-law said she was looking for a new pair of comfortable shoes as she was returning to work for the NHS that I thought we could at least make a gesture of some sort.

Sadly, I could not help my sister-in-law, as we do not stock a vast array of women’s shows (yet) and many NHS staff will need to wear shoes that can be easily cleaned, but we could at least offer them a discount on the shoes they wear to work or for when they are away from work.

We quickly launched our 40% discount for NHS staff to show them our appreciation. It felt like it was the least we could do in very trying times. And as it become evident that NHS staff were not the only ones taking the strain, we opened out a 30% discount to healthcare workers, such as those working in care homes.

To date, these discounts have equated to more than £20,000, so we are proudly aware that some of our shoes are being worn by our healthcare heroes. In comparison to what NHS and other healthcare workers are doing, it is small thing really, but we just wanted to do something.

Meanwhile, our customer services, IT and accounts teams are safely working from home while our warehouse workers are respecting the two-metre social distancing rules to ensure these shoes deliveries can be made as quickly as possible.

Like you, I hope this is all over as quickly as possible. From everyone at Herring Shoes, please stay safe.

Herring Shoes

Herring is taking sustainability seriously

February 18, 2020

The news and social media feeds are full of stories and warnings about climate change. Carbon emissions, melting ice caps, deforestation and so on are a reality and Herring has taken steps to ensure it remains a sustainable business.

Our blogs have already discussed the merits of long-lasting products as opposed to the throw-away culture of buying cheap. See Slow fashion for your feet, Repair to extend the life of your shoes and Max McMurdo’s Spread the cost with slow fashion.

Sustainable quality footwear for men made to last — Herring Knightsbridge

Ever since our business was established in 1966, Herring has created high quality footwear that is designed to last. We design some of our footwear with Goodyear welts, which means these shoes and boots can be repaired. These are easily identified on our website thanks to our ‘Repair service’ logo. You can enjoy the comfort of the leather upper that has moulded to your feet but easily replace the sole. This ensures our shoes can be worn for many years.

This is important. We don’t believe in fast fashion; we believe in slow fashion based on quality. In the past 15 years, global clothing production has doubled to meet demand for quick turnaround garments. Garments are often only worthy of a single social media post before they are thrown away or forgotten. More than half of fast fashion items are thrown away in less than a year.

We want our customers to get a good 10 years out of our shoes. We certainly don’t them to be purchased for a single Instagram post!

Aside from quality, there is the practicality of only dealing with factories that use respected European tanneries that are regulated to minimise environmental impact. We have been using 100% recycled cardboard for our shipping containers since 2016 and we use recyclable plastic and only where necessary or where it is the best choice. We also have a large photovoltaic array on our warehouse roof that harvests our lovely Devon sunshine and offsets 100% of our electricity usage.

At the start of this month, we began offsetting the carbon impact of all our shipments. To help us fund this, there is an optional customer contribution at the checkout to help us pay the fees.

Most of our shipments go through DHL and they have a cost per kilo surcharge that they then pay towards green energy, carbon offsetting and other projects. Where other couriers are not able to offer a carbon offset scheme, Herring will instead pledge to pay The Woodland Trust a donation based on the same calculation for all non-DHL shipments.

We estimate our voluntary carbon off-setting levy will be 45 pence at this stage. However, we will adjust this up or down to match the carbon usage as closely as possible. We will publish how much has been contributed by customers and by us when the scheme has been running for a while. Herring is introducing this carbon offset plan this because we believe it is the right thing to do. Some customers will choose not to pay the levy, so this will be a net cost to Herring but one that we think is well worth paying. For those of you that do choose to pay the levy, we hope you will enjoy ma king a difference with us.

Herring Shoes

Keep your feet dry with waxed leather

February 14, 2020

Leather is a superb naturally, breathable material for keeping your feet comfortable, but is it durable enough to withstand wet weather?

With most leathers, you have to add treatments like our amazing nano-spray to stop water getting in. You can also waterproof standard leathers using dubbin, but note this can sometimes change the colour and finish of your shoes, so you do so at your own discretion.

But there is a traditional alternative.

We make some of our shoes using leathers where oils and waxes are rubbed into the hides by hand to create a water-repellent barrier. Some have leather soles for less rugged, day-to-day wear. See our Northamptonshire-made Orkney chukka boots or the Coburn or Coltham II Chelsea boots.

Herring Felcourt rubber-soled double monk shoes

However, if you want tough durability rubber soles are the way to go. There are Chelsea boots, monk and Derby shoes available, but I am keen on the more military styles.

Stand by for the Cairngorm. This is a stout boot with eight eyelets and a buckle for maximum security on the foot. This leather is waxy, of course, but has a suede texture that will mark and age wonderfully.

I am also keen on the Badminton. It’s the ultimate gentleman’s boot and again it will look better as it ages. It is a design and craft classic that will serve you well. The country last shape gives a roomy fit in the rounded toe box which combined with a gibson front allows the option for a thicker sock to be worn.

Lastly, and a little more edgy, is the Sharnbrook. This is a classic six-eyelet boot made with supple leather on the light and flexible Solovair air-cushioned sole making them incredibly comfortable for all day wear.

If you are not a fan of the Wellington boot, any of the three boots above will work as a comfortable alternative in wet conditions.

So please remember not all leathers are not the same when you choose your footwear for wet weather. Please do not hesitate to contact our customer services team if you need further advice.

Herring Shoes, Publicity

Our Friends at Live Magazine feature us again

June 22, 2011

This weekend past we again featured in Live Magazine as one of their favourite Desert Boots; The Herring Goodwood.

Herring Shoes, Publicity

Herring Shoes On GQ.com

March 23, 2011

Herring Shoes feature in a GQ.com online feature about the best monk strap shoes

‘Buckle up for an elegant sartorial finish. With a streamlined shape, single or double strap and subtle detailing, these smooth operators give laces a run for their money.’

You can read the full article here… GQ Monk Strap Shoes

Herring Shoes, Publicity

Herring Shoes and Eclipse Magazine

March 17, 2011

Herring shoes have featured in a number of articles in theÂ fantasticÂ Eclipse Magazine online. Herring’s sponsor Leech Racing in Devon so horse racing is close to our hearts.

You can read what they have to say about our shoes by following the various links below.

Herrings Kings Cross in Eclipse Magazine – Read More

Herrings Luca loafer in Eclipse Magazine – Read More

Herrings Moc Croc in Eclipse Magazine – Read More

Tricker Shoes in Eclipse Magazine – Read More