Children’s shoe retailers say closure of specialist shops is harming foot health
Summary
Footwear specialists warn that the closure of many children’s shoe shops in Great Britain is making it harder for parents to get proper shoe fittings, which may harm children’s foot health. A group called Footwear Hub has started a campaign to encourage parents to give children’s feet the same care as their eyes and teeth, highlighting problems caused by ill-fitting shoes.Key Facts
- Over 1,000 shoe shops have closed in Great Britain since 2020.
- Many parents now buy children’s shoes online or travel long distances (up to 50 miles) for fitting services.
- Footwear Hub is a not-for-profit group made up of 40 specialist shoe shops.
- Bunions (painful bony lumps on feet) and other foot problems are increasing among children.
- Ill-fitting shoes can cause foot, ankle, knee, and back issues later in life.
- Children's feet grow until their mid-teens, and poor shoe fit can affect their walking and stability.
- The campaign "fit well, grow well" offers free advice and aims to raise awareness of children’s foot health.
- Shoe fitters report many children wear shoes that are too small or narrow, contributing to foot problems.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.