This 1943 photograph shows a corner of the busy workshop of Bennetts's Shoe Service at 215 Manchester Street, with some of the original staff working at night, L to R: G E Bennett, E. Brown, P. Thyne.

It was to become one of the largest and most successful shoe repair businesses in New Zealand. The first shop was established in 1930, and from 1932 it was purchased by Mr G.E Bennett, who came from Ashburton at the age of 17, canvassing from door to door. From this point, the current business, “Bennett’s Shoe Service” was formed.

At one time, the business employed sixteen workmen and two women counter assistants, busily engaged in receiving repairs. Mr Bennett retired in 1957, when the business was sold to Mr W. Bargle. Over the following years, the business had several owners until December 2024, when the business was purchased by UK master repairer Barney Tizzard.

Barney had been living in New Zealand since 2002, and has been in the Shoe repair business since 1994, starting initially in Dorset England. Barney previously owned and operated a small shoe repair shop called the Shoebox in Mount Maunganui, whilst taking time away up North after the Christchurch Earthquake.

As a result of the earthquake on 22nd February 2011, the previous owner moved Bennetts shoe service Papanui Road; however, 6 years ago, Bennetts was finally relocated back to the city centre to 33 Lichfield St,(Just 700 metres from the original Manchester Street location!).

The business has been in existence for almost 100 years and must be regarded as the oldest established business of its kind in the city of Christchurch.