Five generations of Timpsons have been involved in the business that bears their name.

Chief Executive John Timpson is the great grandson of the Founder, William Timpson, who at the age of 16 opened his first shop in Butler Street, Manchester in 1865. By 1869 William started trading at 97 Oldham Street, which he rented for £200 a year.

Since 1987 the business has changed from a chain of heel bars to Britain’s Quality Service People. The number of shoe repair shops has grown from 150 to 315 and the turnover has expanded from £12.5m to £40m. Then in 2003 Timpson bought The Minit Group which included Mister Minit, Supasnaps and Sketchley. Two years later Timpson looked at the business and the way the High Street is altering and sold on Supasnaps and Sketchley and they now have over 550 outlets in the UK and Ireland.

Timpson also developed new service areas such as locksmiths, jewellery repair and alterations and repairs on clothing.