Saturday will mark the end of an era in Bermuda when, after 75 years in business and millions of shoe repairs, the Peerless Shoe Clinic on Church Street will close its doors for good.

St. Kitts native Philip Warner, 72, is a cobbler by trade and came to Bermuda on October 4, 1964 to work in the business which was run by Nicki and Edi Francis.

The Francis family had run the business for more than 30 years before selling it to Edmund Gibbons, the father of former Premier Sir David Gibbons, who sold the business to Gilbert Perry who eventually sold it to Mr. Warner.

The business has been in many locations including Washington Mall, Burnaby Street and now Church Street, and Mr. Warner says he is closing the business as it is time to move on.

Years of dust have also impacted the health of Mr. Warner whose eyesight is sadly failing.

Mr. Warner and his son Philmore spoke with The Royal Gazette yesterday and Philmore explained that his father learned the cobblers trade to make shoes to order by hand from scratch.

Repairing shoes was a later trend in the business.

"I made some shoes to order in Bermuda, but the business turned into repair," explains Mr. Warner.

Mr. Warner taught his trade to his son who is now a lawyer at Appleby Spurling and Kempe, and his friend Kevin Anderson who is now a physiotherapist.

But no one has shown an interest in continuing the business.

Several apprentices have been trained in the art of cobbling, but sadly none have persevered. Philmore Warner said: "20 years ago, he advertised for help, he still hasn't got it yet."

"No one seems to be interested in this trade anymore," added Mr.. Warner."

Mr. Gibbons imported some modern repair machines several years ago which Mr. Warner learned to use as previously everything was done by hand.

The machines are still in perfect condition, and Mr. Warner has considered donating them to the Bermuda College workshop so that young Bermudians could be taught the trade.

He is also willing to teach the trade to anyone willing to learn. And anyone can learn.

Mr. Warner remembers the time he taught some girl guides how to make and repair shoes for their "cobblers badge".

Fashions have changed enormously in the last half century, such as the introduction of rubber instead of leather, different glues and ways of constructing shoes and styles of heels, especially for women.

Mr. Warner laughs when he thinks about modern stiletto heels compared to more conservative styles of previous decades.

Not only have everyday shoes been blessed with renewed life thanks to Mr. Warner's dextrous hands, but entire wedding parties have been fitted with custom made shoes.

Bermuda's modern throw away society has meant business is not quite what it used to be for cobblers.

Shoes are more likely to be thrown away rather than repaired, and the material makes for worse repairs anyway. "The man-made material doesn't hold at all," explains Mr. Warner. "Leather is more easily repaired."

Philmore Warner reminisces when he worked with his father during school holidays to pay for his school fees when it was common to work until 2 or 3 a.m. just to keep on top of the workload after starting the day at 6 or 7 a.m.

Philmore Warner also explained that the changing nature of Hamilton had dealt a blow to the business. He said it was necessary for a shoe repair business to be in a high pedestrian traffic area, but the rising rents in the heart of the city meant the Peerless Shoe Clinic had to move to the outskirts to remain a viable business.

Other changes include the supply of materials. Local companies that used to stock materials of the trade have now closed, and special orders for items such as leather, glue, tacks and thinners must be made from overseas. And some of it must be shipped as flammable materials and cannot travel by air.

Closing the store is bittersweet for Mr. Warner as he can now put his feet up and "take five," as he says, but bitter as it is the end of an era, and a disappointment for both Mr. Warner, his son and countless loyal customers.

Indeed Philmore Warner said that business had actually picked up since a notice appeared in The Royal Gazette a few weeks ago advertising the closure of the business and sale of the equipment.

One woman who was in the shop yesterday sad: "I have been coming here to get my shoes repaired for 20 years."

Mr. Warner thanked his many loyal customers for their patronage and but said he is looking forward to take some well deserved time off.