Email: shop@valentinesleather.co.uk
Web: www.valentinesleather.co.uk

Opening Hours

10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday

Irresistible

A visit to Valentines is a fascinating experience. You have this wonderful smell of the natural genuine leathers and the sight of many handcrafted leather items.  So who can resist touching these - a truly sensual experience that can only be obtained by a visit to the shop? Leather is one of the most beautiful natural materials; it has been used for thousands of years, it is known for its durability and can last a lifetime if proper care is taken.

Prominent 

Rachel Valentine Calvert - the founder of Valentines - has always been in the fashion trade, but leather goods are the products she enjoys;   A few years ago Rachel was a guest speaker at a British Leather Confederation where she was invited to give a speech to the leather industry manufacturers.   Her knowledge of the leather products has been gained over time but also by the BLC trade courses she has attended in Northumberland and at Leathersellers Hall in London.

Product range 

Valentines offers brands such as Claudio Ferrici, Fossil, Gianni Conti, Jump, Kipling and Betty Barclay. “The Bridge” Leather goods from Italy are a full hide and therefore not only look good but age beautifully and gain a patina which makes us love our bag or briefcase even more.  Most of the Leather goods at Valentines are classical although we do good range of fashion items.

Internet Shop 

Valentines has been on the frontline of selling leather goods online - since as early as 1999.   “The Bridge” range is among one of their online bestsellers.  Valentines also sells Kipling and Fossil products in their Amazon shop.

Interesting facts 

There used to be a butcher’s shop and slaughterhouse at the rear of Valentines ‘premises – so it seems symbolic that cow hide is still a business product on these premise.

Tips on leather care 

Proper care of leather protects it from excessive dryness and moisture, which may cause it to swell or mildew. The following things need to be done to make your leather bag a lifetime utility accessory.

• Store your leather bag away from direct sunlight in a porous cotton bag

• Avoid placing light colours next to dark colours of leather as this may cause colour migration which is irreversible.

• Condition leather in order to prevent dryness and cracking 3 to 4 times a year with a cheesecloth and leather conditioner to facilitate durability, shine and increase the natural beauty of the bag

• Avoid spraying perfume or anything with alcohol near your leather bag as this can loosen the colour in the leather.

• Fresh stains can be wiped with a damp cloth. While those from oil or grease can be cleaned by grinding ordinary blackboard chalk, sprinkling the area and leaving the powder for 24 hours.

• Suede which has been rain marked should be allowed to dry naturally and brushed with a suede brush.

Testimonials 

Patricia McClung: This shop has a personality. The owner and staff are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and it is quite simply, a very special shop, and a top favourite of mine. Though I have to travel over 50 miles to get there I always enjoy my visit because of the shop’s atmosphere and the wide range of leather goods from all the major brands and particularly “Bridge”. As a devotee of their bags for many years I find that Valentine’s has perhaps the most comprehensive range of Bridge in the whole of the South East of England, and that includes London.

Overheard at Sayers Lane, Tenterden: I bought my granddaughter a belt for her birthday at Valentine’s – it was her favorite present then! She’s still showing it off to her girlfriends.