Wizard Key Cutting

If Hobbits actually existed, they would work at this shop. It is a minute rabbit hole which has a bright yellow sign, almost to say to passers by «Look at me! I am here too you know!!». Dave, the biggest personality in Urmston town is the shoe and key expert, and he reminds me of the Key Maker in the Matrix Revolutions because what Dave doesn’t know about a Yale or a Mortice is not worth knowing.
It was not a key emergency that brought me to Dave’s tiny door though. I needed the sole of some hyper expensive –so I am gonna keep em for 50 years– boots fixing and I looked everywhere for a place to get it done. Cobblers are an endangered species and we must do everything within our power to prevent their extinction. I took the boots in and Dave explained what he would do. Now, I sort of tuned out, like I do when the other half comes home from work and starts talking all technical to me. All I actually hear is blah, blah, blah and I had to tell Dave that I will leave my adored Karen Millens in his capable Cobbler hands, just do what he has to do. Two days later I returned and for £20 my black, leather, wedge, knee– high beauties were restored to their former glory. Dave has been there for 12 years and he is multi-​skilled in key cutting, engraving and shoe repairs. We had a long chat about the future of small businesses in the present economic climate and I left feeling quite sad that these traditional, independent and necessary professions are dying out. So I want all Manchester Unilocalers to make a little journey to Dave’s Hobbit hole and keep this fine institution alive.