A local mum is calling on the Government to allow Qualified Shoe Fitters to continue their work during lockdown.
Samantha Tarbit, who owns Shoedini in Broughton Gate, says that it is crucial for the health of children's feet that Qualified Shoe Fitters, Members of the Society of Shoe Fitters and Children’s Foot Health Register be allowed to trade.
She argues that shoe fitters are deemed essential, and are a "crucial secondary support mechanism for podiatry and other health services".
Chiropodists and podiatrists can continue working throughout lockdown, but although qualified shoe fitters often see daily referrals from clinics, they have been forced to close.
Shoedini works in partnership with various NHS and private clinics across the region including MK Dons' official podiatry clinic MKFeet, which Samantha says will especially feel the burden of the store being closed.
She said: "Whilst the clinics remain open to diagnose, we will be closed to resolve footwear requirements to support our children. With over 4 million children in the UK already wearing ill-fitting shoes, we cannot see that number rise. I have tweeted downing street etc repetitively and will continue to do so."
During the first lockdown, The Society of Shoe Fitters, a registered charity, was said to have received hundreds of calls from young parents with concerns on how to support their vulnerable first walker when the experts were closed.
And Samantha doesn't want this to happen again. She is now calling on parents to sign a petition urging Boris Johnson to lift the restriction on Qualified Shoe Fitters being able to fit during the second lockdown.
Over 240 people have signed the petition so far, with signatories agreeing that shoe fitting is an "essential" service.
One person added: "To a growing child, having their shoes fitted correctly is paramount and essential. Ill fitting shoes can damage their feet forever. It is therefore, without question, most important that Members of Society of Shoe Fitters remain open to ensure foot health."
Find out more, and view the petition here.
