Water Tower Shoe Repairs, also known as Cobblers Inn, has changed owners, with Ron Turton handing over to his son Justin after three decades in charge.

Mr Turton himself took over the shop from a family member in the late 1980s.

“I applied to the council for a lease and I’ve been here ever since,” he said.

“It was something I started and kept doing.”

Built in 1924, the water tower’s tank was drained permanently in 1960 and boot repairer Albert Green became the ground floor tenant the following year.

Shoe repairs, key cutting and engraving are its trade, along with making sandals.

“Going back a few years, all the kids wore these to school, we used to sell 30 or 40 pairs a day and you’d have 40 or 50 orders for the next day,” Mr Turton said.

Customers have come from across the North East, some returning the next day with cake in appreciation.

Inside the tower, the same Singer sewing machine Mr Turton has used for 30 years still does the job required.

Mr Turton said methods had not changed greatly over the years and the demand to repair footwear remained strong.

“If you’ve got a comfy pair of shoes and they need a heel; you need to spend $16 and the shoes might only cost you $30, people will fix them,” he said. 

Mr Turton is retiring to undergo cancer treatment and thanked his customers for their support of the iconic business.

Sometimes, though, overseas visitors to Wodonga could be confused by the Cobblers Inn sign.

“A lot of people come looking for a beer,” Mr Turton said.