Here's what the press has to say about Small Measures...

Hunts Post, Small Business of the Year, 23/10/2008: Small companies, of which there are several thousand across Huntingdonshire, are responsible for 90 per cent of the district's employment. So there is keen competition to win this award as a springboard to becoming larger and more successful. This year's finalists are an appliance-testing and certification company from Perry, an Eaton Socon godsend to women with small feet, and a spectacularly successful nail studio in St Ives...Frustration with traipsing around major shopping centres and failing to find shoes small enough to fit led Sue Martin-Loat to realise she was not the only woman being let down by big retailers. So she formed her online Small Measures business two years ago specialising in sizes 1-3. Although based in Huntingdonshire, Small Measures already has regular customers around the world, including Sri Lanka and Australia.

Petite Personal Shopper.com, Party Shoes, 01/12/2007: There's a decadent feel about these gorgeous shoes from Small Measures.  The colour, the asymmetry, but above all, the baroque buckle details make these very special indeed.  Ankle straps are great on high heels because they make it easier to walk - and dance - but unless you have really slim ankles they can visually shorten the leg, especially if the strap is wide.  These shoes avoid that trap by fastening on the diagonal, thus lengthening the leg and slimming the ankle.  Clever, eh?



Sheffield Star, 22/08/07: "Our eureka moment came via the internet, though. New company Small Measures was launched by tiny-footed Sue Martin-Loat - a size 1½ to 2. The website mail order firm stock Jeanette's size - and if something you order doesn't fit, you can return it for free. Says Sue: "After yet another day of trudging round town looking for shoes in my size, my husband finally said: 'This is ridiculous. Why don't you set up a business?" She started researching the size of the problem - and found out there were many UK women with tiny feet. Sourcing small sizes wasn't easy, though. "Most British and European manufacturers made the decision to start their ranges at a three. Only two or three companies still make little sizes. Chinese women have tiny feet, but manufacturers there want companies to place huge orders even though the market here is small. And we have heard that Indian shoe manufacturers also make very small sizes which might be another source for us." Small Measures (contact them via www.smallmeasures.co.uk or 0845 431354) now have around 600 customers and ages range from teens to 70s. Says Sue: "It is true that feet are getting bigger and bigger, but there are still lots of young girls who have such problems buying shoes to fit their dainty feet." They have only been unable to help one customer - a lady from Bolton who takes a child's size 12. "But we haven't given up yet," says Sue. Jeanette browsed a range of styles that would fit her on her home computer and selected two, which arrived just a day later. And amazingly, one of the pairs were a tad on the small side! "I've only ever had that happen to me once before - when I had a pair made by a cobbler in Cyprus and he got a bit carried away," said Jeanette. "But the other pair are lovely." She's still not happy with internet shopping, though - so she intends to visit Small Measures' stock rooms in Cambridge.



Petitepersonalshopper.com, 01/07/07: "No apologies for returning to Small Measures, the small shoe company with a big fashion attitude!  Take these summer sweeties.  The floral fabric is absolutely catwalk perfect, especially teamed with candy pink platforms and the new heel shape.  There's something very similar from Paul Smith this season, but in sizes 1 - 3?  I don't think so...Look upon these platform sling-backs and prepare to lust!  These shoes are just made for this season's dresses, from mini shifts to dreamy maxis. If you aren't into platforms, but want to nod to this season's fashion trends, these black wedge sandals are perfect.  The wedges add height with more comfort, whilst the delicate ankle strap is both pretty and practical.  But note above all the detail at the back of the foot.  It hints at the fashionable gladiator sandal, but without the fussiness over the foot that can make a petite leg look shorter.  Clever, eh?



Petitepersonalshopper.com, News & Previews, 01/07/07: This summer colour is HOT!  These mules from Small Measures are completely on-trend with their acid green hue.  We've turned the spotlight on Small Measures this month, because we just love their eye for clever details.  We've got their fabulous silver sandals on our Summer Special feature, and yet more on a Small Measures page. 



Petitepersonalshopper.com, Summer Special, 01/07/07: Silver in the Sun - Finding top fashion styles in small shoe sizes can be almost impossible.  Not at Small Measures, this month's featured shoe label.  Take these silver sandals.  They are absolutely everything a relaxed yet glamorous holiday shoe should be.  The metallics trend echoed here ensures that even with the plainest of shorts or the sportiest of swimsuits, these sandals are 100% pure, distilled fashion spirit!  



Cambridge Evening News, Family Sizes up Gap in Market, 12/01/07: "For many women shopping for shoes is sheer heaven - but for one family the experience has often been little short of a nightmare. Mum Sue Martin-Loat and her daughters Joanne and Natalie have an average size three foot and are used to the experience of returning home empty-handed, unable to find a shoe to fit. But in the absence of a fairy godmother to create the perfect-fitting slipper, the trio have cast their own spell to solve the problem and set up their own business, Small Measures, to sell small but affordable shoes for women. The online company was launched by the St Neots family last October, and has already achieved over £10,000 in sales and recently celebrated website visitor number 14,000. Joanne, who has size three feet, said: "The reason we set the company up is because mum is a size two and has had dreadful trouble for years trying to find shoes. She's either had to buy them abroad, or she's spent lots of time shopping around trying on size threes in the hope one will fit." Before the family set up the business, the market research they conducted revealed many other small-footed women were finding it difficult to find the right shoe to fit. Feedback from more than 600 women with the same problem convinced them it would be worth setting up in business. Joanne, 27, said: "We didn't know anyone else with size two feet so we were amazed so many people replied to our online survey."



Petitepersonalshopper.com, Party Shoe Review, 01/12/06: "The hottest new trend on the catwalks this season has been the part shoe, part boot hybrid sometimes known as the shooboot. These are from Small Measures, and in patent leather they manage to rein in yet another trend. Definitely one for the fashionistas!"



Petitepersonalshopper.com, Party Shoe Review, 01/12/06: "Nurture your inner Catwoman! These little kitties from Small Measures just wanna have fun! Slipping into a pair of these shoes could transform a black business suit into something quite unexpected if you want to go from day-to-evening in two easy steps". Click here to see Leopard Print Courts.



The-Chic-Petite.com, Christmas Party Shoes from Small Measures, 28/11/06: "Small-footed ladies in the UK can relax; Small Measures now has several festive styles appropriate for holiday parties available in red, silver, and gold, in UK sizes 1 through 3 1/2.  They promise even more fabulous new styles in the New Year.  Merry Shoemas, everyone".



Petitepersonalshopper.com, Small Shoe Review, 01/11/06: "It's so good to see how the net continues to widen the choice of footwear for women with small feet.  Welcome to the latest venture, Small Measures. Sue Martin-Loat, the founder of Small Measures, knows a thing or two about the problems faced by women who want glamorous, grown-up shoes in small sizes, being a size 2 herself.  And it's a family affair, with daughters Joanne and Natalie eagerly assisting Sue in the demanding business of finding beautiful shoes. Well, someone's got to do it... So what are the shoes like? We at Petite Personal Shopper just love these fabulous courts. They hit every fashion button.  Round toes? Check. Stacked heels? Check. Chunky buckle? Check. Brogue stitch detailing? Check. With opaque tights and a sweater dress these little beauties will turn any sidewalk into a catwalk! Small Measures surveyed hundreds of women before launching their venture, and they know that we want choice, not just of styles, but of prices, too. So whatever you want, from stomping day shoes to delicate metallic sandals like those above, take a close look at Small Measures". Click here to see Black Courts with Buckle.  



Petitepersonalshopper.com, Petite Fashion News, 01/11/06: "A bit prim and a bit dangerous, that's what we think about these shoes from new shoe store Small Measures". 



The Sun Newspaper, Fashion Extra, 30/10/06: "Choosing the right separates from the right place will give you a fashion boost if you're small. Gone are the days when petites had to choose wardrobes from one dowdy rack at the back of a store. Small treasures are now available at speciality online stores and on the High Street. Here is our pick of the best buys: Silver shoes, £30, smallmeasures.co.uk: This new website is for women with feet size one to three-and-a-half". Click here to see Strappy Silver Sandals.