Celebrating 20 Years of SoleLution – A Tribute to My Mum and a New Chapter Ahead

As Mother’s Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the incredible influence my Mum (and Dad) has had on my life—both personally and in shaping SoleLution. It was nearly 20 years ago that she made one simple yet life-changing observation:

"There hasn’t been a shoe shop in Portishead for 25 years."

That was it—the spark that set everything in motion. At the time, I had just returned from my travels, full of energy and ideas but with no clear plan for my future. My Mum, as always, saw things clearly. Her words planted the seed, and from that moment, I knew what I wanted to do.

Of course, I had no shop, no experience in shoe fitting, and no idea where to start—but I was determined. I trained, I learned, and within nine months, SoleLution opened its doors in Portishead. That was nearly two decades ago, and since then, we’ve had the privilege of helping so many wonderful people find the perfect fit—comfortable, stylish, and supportive footwear that allows them to get on with enjoying life.

But like any journey, there have been ups and downs, and now, after 17 fantastic years, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our Clifton store. Clifton has been such a huge part of our story, and we are incredibly grateful to all our customers who have supported us there. While this chapter is coming to an end, SoleLution’s mission remains the same, and we’re excited to continue welcoming you to our Portishead store, where our friendly, knowledgeable team will still be here to help you find your perfect SoleLution.

For the past two decades, we’ve had the pleasure of fitting shoes for so many wonderful customers—whether you've been looking for comfort with a casua

l style, seeking footwear that cares for your feet without compromising on fashion, or you're a Mum or Dad yourselves making sure your little ones have the best fit for their growing feet.

SoleLution has always been about more than just shoes. It’s about trust, expertise, and service—values my Mum instilled in me and that remain at the heart of everything we do.

So, this Mother’s Day, I want to say a special thank you to my Mum. Without her, SoleLution wouldn’t exist. And to all of you who have been part of our journey—thank you. We may be closing a door in Clifton, but our passion for happy feet and exceptional service is stronger than ever.

Here’s to the next chapter. We can’t wait to see you in Portishead!