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 New book coming soon

Private eye's rotten borough's book of the year 2003. A book by The Durham Cobbler containing massive exposure of fraud and corruption in Durham City. Ordering information will appear here within the next 5 weeks.

Click here to read chapter 2 online

Introduction

Established in Durham since 1854, Tony's Cobbler business is a family affair providing a traditional high standard of service to the local community.  Long before shopping centres and "out of town" shopping they were there, destined never to be millionaires but reliable and trustworthy taking pride in what they did. Based at the bottom of Claypath, the hill used to be the main entrance to the City Centre and led to Claypath Gate which was positioned just outside the current market place.

Their repairs have been carried out for the last 100 years using traditional methods handed down from generation to generation. Indeed many of our current customers are from many generations of the same family.  A traditional cobbler is as unique as Durham is itself, the cobbled streets, riverside walks, hills and valleys.. all routes requiring sturdy footwear.

The business provides an exceptional high standard of service and always good value for money.  Theypride themselves on their workmanship and many close links with the community. The shop had never had any problems in almost one hundred and fifty years..... until February 1999 when returning from a weekend break a traffic regulation order had been placed in Claypath banning ALL parking, including Disabled Parking - a very high percentage of the shops custom. On investigation they learnt that the 'Prince Bishops' shopping centre had paid for the yellow lines forcing traffic in the Claypath area of Durham into their 'Pay to Use' car park.

 Further investigations with the City and County Councils revealed that the City Council was set to make £3 Million profit and Boots PLC would make in the region of £4 Million when the development was sold to Grosvenor.  A meeting then took place with Mr Colin Shearsmith, Chief Executive of Durham City Council and on putting forward his objections, Tony was told his options were limited to relocation!

Based on the historical interest and the family pride in the business, as well as the obvious links with the above deal, Tony swore to uncover any local dignitaries who were happy to abuse their elected and trusted positions.  What was to follow was a tide of revelation which resulted in the arrest of Mr. Shearsmith.  Tony Martin started a petition on the 'Prince Bishops Shopping Centre' which to date has in excess of 2000 signatures.

After being offered a shop in 'Prince Bishops' from Mr Webster (the Managing Director) rent free as a 'compromise', Tony intensified the petition and campaign against the Council which has lead to an explosion of corruption, nepotism, racism, ageism and not to mention the odd sex scandal - watch this space!!

We urge you, if you visit Durham City to boycott 'Prince Bishops' or register your objections with Durham City Council. You can leave any comments by signing Tony's guest book... alternatively you can call into the shop in person and sign his petition.  

Check back regularly to follow Tony in his war against oppression and corruption, see the result of local politicians gone rotten.   It appears that just as in Wealden and Flintshire county councils and Dame Shirley Porter, they have it all in Durham!

The Cobblers 2 the Council website has now had over 95,000 visitors. On Tony's website, you will find an extensive collection of articles relevant to current issues in progress in Durham City. Also you will find local photography, an MP3 download of Tony Martin's latest single, poems, petitions and of course, the guest book. Take your time and enjoy.