One Step Ahead

Key cutter and shoe repairer based on York Road, Kings Heath.
One Step Ahead offers the usual key cutting and shoe repairing services as well as selling a range of accompanying products such as key covers, suede protector and so on.
Manager Joe is always happy to accommodate and service is usually quick.

I’ve never had a pair of shoes repaired in my life. This is probably because I don’t buy very expensive shoes, and it’s essentially cheaper and easier to buy a new pair once the ones I’m wearing begin to fall apart at the seems. I’m missing out, I think, as it’s possibly one of the most dapper and gentlemanly things in the world to say, «Do you like my brogues? I’ve just had them re-​heeled». Sadly, this is something I may never get to say.
I have, however, had to get keys cut, and on more than one occasion I have used the services of One Step Ahead for this. There’s not a lot you can ask about freshly cut keys other than a) do they work? and b) Did you have a heart-​attack when the bloke told you how much. With regard to this store the answers are, a) Yes and b) only moderately. But, really, what are you going to do, break a window? It’s cheaper than breaking a window, put it that way.
I wonder how much he charges to re-​heel brogues?

I came to this shop a while ago to get a small key cut for the post box outside the apartments where I live. The key was a tiny thing, but I was completely shocked at the cost for once copy: five pounds! Now I may not know much about key-​cutting, but I think this is quite expensive, considering the key in question was just a standard key, not a Yale or anything fancy, I mean, it was only to open the post box! The man who served me was very quiet and did not seem too friendly, however, the job was done very quickly and the whole process was over in a matter of minutes. They also do shoe repairs here, I have not used this service, but I should as I have a lot of worn down heels, however, I am reluctant to return because of the high prices and the not-​so-​friendly man.

Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as being strange that shoe repairs and key cutting are crafts undertaken by the same person under the same roof? The only thing I can think that they have in common is that a sharp implement is needed to do each job.
I’ve had keys cut at One Step Ahead before. I was astonished at the price, until I found out that its pretty common for a Yale type key to cost a fiver to be cut. Heavens. So, if you need a key cut and you are in the area, One Step Ahead is maybe one of a few key cutting shops to go to. And for shoe repairs? Maybe some revision and a bit more expereince on the part of the owner could turn some average jobs into glowing ones.