Dunn’s Footwear in Donaghadee will close on April 29. Owner Kate Boyd plans to retire after 50 years in the shoe business.

Kate Boyd started at the shop in 1976 at age 17. She joined after leaving a job at John Beattie’s newsagent after 15 months. Michael Dunn hired her full-time. He had opened the shop in 1969 next to his father’s cobbling business.

Michael Dunn and his wife Elizabeth owned the shop until 1990. Kate Boyd bought it from them. She recalls Dunn advising her against becoming too devoted to the business.

The shop offered credit to customers facing financial difficulties. Kate Boyd keeps handwritten ledgers recording those payments. She noted that families relied on this for school shoes and sandals.

Kate Boyd specialised in footwear for older people. She measured feet for care home residents and fitted shoes for rehabilitation. Orders came from customers on the mainland and overseas for relatives.

She bought stock at shoe fairs. Filming of the TV series Hope Street in Donaghadee drew international visitors to the shop. In 2014 Orlando Bloom visited to buy Doc Martens and vintage trainers.

Kate Boyd decided to retire on New Year’s Day. At age 66 she told staff she was tired and ready to stop. She plans to take up golf or bowling and continue voluntary work with Donaghadee Community Development Association.