LABYRINTH
Unit 13, North Street Arcade
Belfast BT1 1PA Tel: 0411 582982
Robert Henry says that his chief interest is in the Western mystery tradition, as opposed to Eastern spirituality.  He reads tarot cards and organises workshops in card readings and visualisation, but he is wary of any further attempts to define his occupation. "I dislike labels, like many people in this country, " he says. "When I'm in the shop, you could say that I'm a tarot reader, but when I get home, I'm a father to my family. " His shop also sells crystals, books and tarot cards.

McKERNAN'S COBBLERS
North Street Arcade  Belfast  BT1 1PA

Five generations of McKernans have been involved in shoe-making and repairs. They were based in Donegall Street, and Frederick Street before coming to the North Street Arcade.  Evidence of the family's high standing in the trade is evidenced by a letter in the window, dating back to 1924. The missive comes from the Lady-In-Waiting to the Duchess Of York (now the Queen Mother), thanking James McKernan for a pair of hand-made shoes. These days it is James' grandson Pat who runs the shop, making footwear by hand for a range of clients, many of them regular customers. "These shoes will last you a lifetime," he muses. "Everything's leather. The only nails are in the heel. You get the value. That's the whole secret. I don't think there's another shop in town that does it."  Downstairs, his son Mark repairs the shoes, cuts keys, and is learning the shoe-making trade.