You will find Cannon’s shoe repairs, locksmith and lawn repairs shop on the Old County Road in Crumlin. It has been run by John Cannon long since.

Tell me about your background
My grandfather James Cannon worked as a cobbler in the British Army. Then he got a job in Guinness working as an engineer. He decided to buy this building in 1936 and opened it up as it is today with some changes over the years. Along with my grandmother, Elizabeth, they reared 14 children and one adoptee in the same place. My Dad took over and worked here into his 70s. I was one of six children and have been working here for 45 years, starting when I was 15 years of age. Dad moved to Walkinstown and the upstairs home has since been revamped and is rental accommodation for the last ten years.

What’s your earliest memory of living here?
At 14 years of age I cycled around the local houses every Saturday delivering shoes.

What was your experience with customers?
I get on well with customers. You kinda have to ensure repairs are done to their satisfaction. Some customers have been coming here  for 20/30 years. The only time we lose customers is when they die.

How has Crumlin changed in your lifetime?
People are not as friendly as previously and not taking their time as they used to do. It’s because they are so busy nowadays. But Crumlin is a great place and a smashing area. The best people come from the Corporation houses as well.

Can you tell me a story about unusual customers?
Well, it’s mostly men that come in for a chat. One of them is in a nursing home but still rings me now and again for the chat.  And they go to other shops too. Also, I’m a Manchester United fan. One Liverpool fan said to me, “You’ve nothing here for Liverpool”. I replied, “I have their scarf and I use it to wash the floor”.

What are your plans?
To keep going on for as long as I can. My rheumatoid arthritis causes problems and means I have to shorten my hours. Now it’s 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

Text: Bernadette Barrington
Photos: Martin O’Brien.
June 2024.

Photos