Staff at Bradford's Pavers shoe shop are making great strides to encourage more people to shop locally.

Part of a group of six city centre shops across the North of England, the Bradford branch is the only one of its kind in West Yorkshire - its owners wanting to fill the niche they believe exists in Bradford for quality shoes.

The shop has been going for more than four years and sells ''quality'' brands such as Gabor and Roder with prices as much as £100 or more.

Not only is the shop a family-owned business, it's also carrying on a tradition in Darley Street where it is based. Pavers took over from another shoe shop, Keith Taylor's, when it opened in June, 1995.

Manageress Janet Hall said: "We sell the more quality end of the market and there's a wide range for ladies and men, from casual wear to dress shoes.

"The labels we stock include names such as Gabor and we also stock a lot of other continental foot wear. All the shoes are very individual, things you wouldn't necessarily find elsewhere."

Although business at Pavers is steady, Mrs Hall has given her whole-hearted support to the T&A's Shop Local campaign, which she says will hopefully encourage more people to think "local''.

Mrs Hall said: "I'm totally behind the campaign. You can't encourage people enough to come into Bradford and shop here. I think that over the last couple of years, fewer people have been coming into Bradford because of competition from other cities and the out-of-town shopping centres.

"I don't think it's anything to do with the quality of goods on offer - traders in Bradford work very hard to attract people to come and shop here.

"I'd support any campaign that tries to do that as well.

"We need to stop people from going out of town and encourage more of them to take advantage of their community shops.''

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