uppers and downs in the shoe trade

however – and says Bridport’s is still one of the best.

“Bridport has kept the market on the pavement, which is important,” he said. “Elsewhere, where they’ve moved their markets into a car park it hasn’t worked.” from major towns, knowing we have plenty of independent retailers.”

Riff started making deals with some of the big names in footwear. When Douglas Read closed down Steptoes became the only shoe shop in Bridport, and they started selling men’s shoes too. One of the first to come on board was Dr Marten.

“We’ve sold Dr Martens for 40 years. The original 1961 classic boots were awful quality – but they were such a classic people actually wanted the original plastic, which would crack, rather than the decent leather version.

“Over the years we have won contracts with major manufacturers. We do Toffeln, which supplies clogs to the NHS, vets and places like that.”

Riff has now added a plethora of big names and also popular cheaper brands to his stock, with Fly London and Birkenstock beside Heavenly Feet, Blundstone and Grisport in his large stockroom.

At the time he opened the Bridport shop, Riff, Julie and Jason still had a shop in Dorchester, as they had signed a 25-year tenancy. They also opened a shop in Wimborne, which never thrived.

They closed the Dorchester store, in South Street, as soon as the agreement came to an end, having made no money there.

“It wasn’t brilliant,” Riff said. “The rents in Dorchester are so high we could never make it pay.

“We had a 50ft stall at Bridport Market which cost £50 a day and when I added it up, if we had our stall there six days a week it would cost the same as a shop here, without all the hard work of putting the stall up each day. Though putting up that stall gave Julie lovely muscles!

“When we moved in here we also had a year’s free rent, which really got us going.”

The trio got out of the markets during the recession as trade was dwindling. Most of the surviving stalls were smaller ones – the appetite for the bigger traders was on the wane.

Riff still loves the markets,

Riff added: “Between us three we have 100 years of experience. We have made some mistakes over that time, but we are now where we want to be. “We are in the lucky position of being able to support as many charities as we can and help the community. I do feel lucky.”

Freezing weather delays repair work on beach footbridge

Freezing weather has delayed repair work to Charmouth Beach footbridge.

Dorset Council said the recent cold snap meant workers had to be diverted from bridge repairs onto road gritting operations. Work to replace the bridge’s boardwalk, handrails and posts is now due to be completed in late February. The bridge and footpath will be open to the public for the half-term week starting February 13. A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “While the bridge is closed, anyone wishing to visit the beach should plan ahead accordingly. Please always take care when visiting any of

Dorset’s beaches. The Jurassic Coast is a wonderful place to visit, but it is important to use common sense and caution – and always pay attention to warning signs. The official notice for the closure has been extended to March 3, 2023, but the work should complete before this so the bridge can reopen earlier.”

Pipers oot for Burns Night

The Dorset air was filled with bagpipes as folk tucked into neeps and tatties to honour Scotland’s famed poet for Burns Night. At the Fox & Hounds in Cattistock, diners were treated to the haggis being piped in by none other than The West

Dorset Magazine’s awardwinning cartoonist and multi-talented music man

Lyndon Wall, right. Over in Briantspuddle, above, tartan-clad attendees enjoyed the superlative tunes of villager Campbell de Burgh, left, before dancing a cèilidh.