YORK-headquartered shoe retailer Pavers has grown its empire after completing its second acquisition this year.

The family run firm, which runs its office and warehouse functions from Poppleton, has announced the acquisition of Herring Shoes – a premium online shoe retailer based in Devon.

Pavers became the legal owner of Herring Shoes last week, taking on the firm’s 12 staff, and single high street retail outlet in Kingsbridge, Devon.

The move brings Pavers total store portfolio to 136 and staff numbers to around 1,750.

Stuart Paver, managing director of Pavers, and son of the firm’s late founder Cathy Paver, said: “Herring Shoes is an incredibly successful business and has focused on internet and international sales.

“The business has been family owned since 1966 and operates with many of the same values as we do here at Pavers.

“These similarities made the acquisition incredibly appealing to us.

“It allowed us to break into new areas of the footwear market while staying true to our own family values and high standards of customer service.”

Mr Paver said Herring Shoes will be run separately to Pavers allowing it to continue its “exciting growth trajectory via online both in the UK and abroad” through its own brand.

He added: “The existing Herring team will continue to operate the business from Devon – the only difference is they are now part of the Pavers family.”

Speaking of Herring Shoes, Adrian Herring, who remains in the business as chairman of the board, said: “At Herring we are passionate about our shoes. We think we offer the finest range of high quality English handmade welted footwear anywhere online, or the high street.

“But at heart we are still that same family business dedicated to excellent customer service, and of course beautiful shoes.

“Shoes are not only our business, they are our passion – and being a part of Pavers means the Herring brand is secure with the same values and passion.”

Mr Paver added: “It is these shared ethics that marry Herring and Pavers so well and makes us very excited for the future of the business.”

The deal marks the second acquisition by Pavers this year following the takeover of Jones Bootmaker in February.