Skegness Magazine

My apologies for posting yet another Skegness person’s death, I don’t mean to be morbid, it’s just that an obituary often reveals vital or interesting information!

Remember Blackbourn’s Shoe Shop on Lumley Road, Skegness? It closed down in October 2006 to re-open as Subway Fast Foods. This news story describes the founder of Blackbourn’s Shoe Shop.

We interviewed the owner of the shop as it was closing down – here’s what we wrote:

Skegness Shoe Shop to close after over 100 years of trading
Skegness shoe shop shuts down after 71 years
September 12th 2006

Blackbourn’s Shoe Shop in Skegness is to close its doors for the last time after over a hundred years of business in Skegness.

Bill and Maureen Stockdale, the present owners of the shoe shop will be shutting up shop next month due to retirement.
Mr Stockdale told us that his wife had inherited the long established business from her great aunt, Alice Blackbourn.

The late Mrs Blackbourn, wife of George Blackbourn had moved to the present premises in Lumley Terrace, Skegness, in 1935. The business had previously been on Roman Bank and, in 1901, further down Lumley Road.

Mr Stockdale said that he was sad that the business had to close. He said that the shop had always sold quality footwear, and nowadays it was getting hard to compete with the chain stores.
He agreed that in the present climate, shoes had become an almost disposable commodity.

Here’s a photo I took of the premises before it closed:

Source: Skegness News 1927

Skegness Tradesman’s Death.

We regret to record the sudden death from heart failure of Mr. George William Blackbourn, aged 54, shoe dealer of 95 Lumley Road’, Skegness.

Mr. Blackbourn journeyed to Manchester on Friday last to bring his wife back to Skegness, and had the fatal seizure in the bath room on Saturday, while shaving. The mortal remains have been brought to Skegness, and the interment is taking place at St. Clement’s Churchyard this (Wednesday) afternoon.

The deceased has been a resident of Skegness for many years. He was engaged for some time in the hairdressing, saloon of Mr. X. E. Middleton, but a gun burst in his hands, necessitating the amputation of his left hand.

After acting as Sands Inspector to the local Council he set up in business as a shoe retailer at 44, Lumley Road, Skegness, removing two years ago to the present extensive premises.
The late Mr. Blackbourn leaves a widow and a son (by his first wife) to mourn their loss.