Award-Winning Pavers Shoes, based in Piccadilly, York, is walking on air owing to its rapid expansion nationwide.

The family-owned shoe chain set up 30 years ago by Catherine and Michael Paver selling shoes through a party plan, currently has eight shops and five outlets, the latest of which opens in Sterling Mills, Scotland.

By the end of 1999 Pavers will have opened another seven outlets, and a further 12 by the end of 2000, increasing the number of employees from 135 to 200.

The first outlet centre, which sells discontinued stock and end- of-line footwear, opened at the Royal Quays, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, in November, 1997. This month sees the opening of two new outlets at Peaks Village, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, and Sterling Mills, Scotland.

Meanwhile, Shoeworld, the Internet site run by managing director Stuart Paver, has won the prestigious UK Footwear Awards 1999.

Pavers was chosen from a line-up of more than 300 entries across the 12 categories. The judges said: "The Shoeworld site is easy to navigate, and buying couldn't be made simpler. Production values are excellent and execution is superb."

Pavers' managing director, Stuart Paver, who came into the family business straight from college 17 years ago, said: "Winning this award, for which we have been nominated three years running, certainly raises our profile, and gives us more credibility.

"We've found a niche and are beginning to sell more and more products through the Internet worldwide."

But what about trying on shoes over the Net? "Most customers just want another pair of the same, and order an identical style, so it's not a problem.

"In the shops, meanwhile, running alongside classic styles, we're finding square toes and stacked heels are proving very popular among men. Whereas flat shoes with profiled heels, tie-ups, and toggles are fashionable among female customers."

To cope with demand Pavers has just purchased another warehouse next to its headquarters at Amy Johnson Way, Clifton Moor. Stuart said: "We bought one nine months ago and decided to purchase the adjacent warehouse one before anyone else did."

Stuart's mother Catherine is company secretary, while father Michael is semi-retired.

His brother Graham is logistics director, while other sibling Ian is in charge of buying for all the outlet centres.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.