A family-run business with plenty of heart and sole has celebrated 30 years in Petersfield town centre.

Balloons were blown up and goodie bags were handed out on Monday at The Petersfield Cobbler as the White family marked three decades on Chapel Street.

“When we took the lease on in 1996 it was for five years,” said master craftsman, Steve White, who runs the much-loved business with his son, Lewis.

“But it went so well and we loved it so much we signed another one and have kept going. I think we’re part of the furniture down this road, now.”

The Petersfield Cobbler must be one of the oldest family-run and independent businesses in town, opening at a time when near neighbours included Blockbusters, Threshers and Fosters menswear. Maybe it was fate, because fittingly, it was a shoe shop before they moved in.

Steve took his first steps around two decades before, working as Saturday boy at a cobblers in Havant before similar jobs in Fareham and Allders Portsmouth followed.

After meeting his now-wife Moyra the couple decided to launch their own business and started looking for units after moving from Portsmouth to Clanfield.

They came across 29 Chapel Street unit and the rest is history, with TPC offering everything from expert shoe repairs and key-cutting to engraving and leatherwork.

“We thought it was a nice area, not too far from London, and we thought there would be a bit of business here,” said Steve on why they chose Petersfield.

“We’ve been in the same shop ever since and then my son, Lewis, came to work for me and is still here.

“When I’ve had enough he can take over but I’m not quite ready yet as I still really enjoy the job.”

Steve’s love for Petersfield has been reciprocated as many will remember the support shown for TPC when Timpsons recently attempted to open next to Tesco.

“That was lovely and the support we had made everything seem worth it,” said Steve.

“When the community came around and said they didn’t want that to happen, and when we got support like that, it made us think we must being doing something right.

His wife, Moyra, an accountant who handles the paperwork, shares that view. And while the pair bemoan today’s “throwaway” society given their nature, they have noticed a welcome change in people’s habits.

She said: “I think there’s been a move towards places like this because of the interaction and people like that.

“I think we’ve lost that a little bit with local shops, and going into a place where people know your name.

“There’s also a growing move for shoe repairs. It has been very throwaway but now people, and especially youngsters, are becoming more conscious about the planet and they try to repair rather than replace.”

Steve added: “I’ve always said don’t throw your shoes away until you’ve spoken to me.

“We can fix zips, re-attach straps to handbags, there’s so much we can do.”