This issue we meet Arran Gemmell, 38, a fourth-generation cobbler, leathersmith and co-owner, with brother Blair, of Gemmell’s on Symonds Street. Gemmell’s is an Auckland institution, which started in 1925 when Arran and Blair’s great-grandfather opened a shop in Greenwoods Corner. The business moved to Karangahape Road and then to Symonds Street in 1996.

Gemmell’s fixes bags and shoes. Arran creates bespoke leather bags and items that are sold in the store, alongside shoe and leather-care products that keep leather in top shape. 

 

My alarm goes off …

At 5.30am. I do fitness training with my three kids, who are four, six and nine. We go for a run around the block and then some boxing training. I help get the little ones organised in the morning. 

My work day begins …

At 7.15am I set off round the corner to pick up my younger brother and business partner Blair and we start planning the day on the drive in. We open the shop, get coffee from Mizu and look forward to our first customers. 

My current job ...

I’ve stuck with the family tradition of being a cobbler and traditional leathersmith. I started in the family business in the early 2000s and in the last couple of years, my brother and I have taken over the business from our dad. We co-manage the shop and I do lots of customer service, shoe and bag repairs and leathercraft. I create my own bag designs, I craft leather dog leads, coasters and placemats. All the leatherwork in the shop is made by us. 

A typical day …

Admin, repairs, leathercraft, serving customers and deliveries around the city. We use a lot of the old traditional machines that don’t exist anymore. We use these every day, along with traditional methods to repair shoes and bags, but also give them a modern twist. 

My big break …

Being born into the Gemmell’s family, where we have a proud tradition of being leathersmiths and cobblers. We still use traditional equipment that only we know how to fix and we use methods that are specialist knowledge passed down by generations. 

I’m proud of …

The chance to run the family business with my brother and with the same loyal staff who have been with us through thick and thin. Blair and I are really proud of the work we are doing and the trust our customers have in us. 

My most memorable moment …

The fire we had in 2017. One of the bins combusted and took out pretty much the whole shop. It happened on Friday, but it didn’t stop us trading on Saturday and we managed to save a lot of our customers' footwear and bags. The bright side is we got to refurbish the shop. 

My worst work habit is …
Probably doing too much at once.

Outside of work …

I work six days a week and I’m a father of three young kids, so it’s all about my family and friends outside of work. 

I chose Uptown because …

Dad wanted to own his own property and the opportunity came up when SkyCity was earmarked for across the road. When we moved here there were empty car parks across the road and empty land everywhere. Now it’s really popular, lots of apartments and it has ended up being a good move. 

Plan B … 

I never had one – what I do is in my blood.

I fall asleep …

Usually with one of the kids in my arms and sometimes all of them.