A RETAILER has launched an “everything must go” closing down sale before the beloved store shuts, after 157 years on the high street.
Warwicks, an iconic suit shop in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has been on sale for over a year.
But, after failing to find a buyer, the family business, which first opened in 1868, is now on the brink of closure.
Unless a last-minute saviour appears, it will shut its doors for good in June this year.
However, owner Neil Warwick, 61, insisted that the shop was “in a very financial position”.
He claimed the decision to close was purely a result of him wanting to retire.
He told the Northamptonshire Telegraph: “I’ve given a lot of my life to the shop, been here Saturdays and done the wedding fairs on Sundays and it is a bit surprising and very sad. Just this morning people have been coming in as normal.
“If we were going bust or had no trade it would be understandable. Trade isn’t as good as it used to be because the High Street has gone down a little, but we’re still profitable.”
He also shared the news of the huge closing down sale over the coming months – with remaining stock going at a 50 per cent discount.
And he reassured customers that the hire department of the business would be honouring all pre-existing bookings.
Warwicks was originally opened by tailor Warwick, and eventually handed down to Neil – the fifth generation of family owners – 41 years ago.
But now, the long-running businessman hopes to enjoy retirement like many of his customers.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Hollister Announces Closure of Aberdeen Flagship Store” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367989536112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]However, he admitted the closure would be a terrible loss for the community, adding: “Wellingborough is Warwicks and Warwicks is Wellingborough.”
TROUBLE ON THE HIGH STREET
Just this month, bosses at a number of prominent retailers have revealed plans to cut stores from their estates.
Garden centre giant Dobbies closed 12 of its stores before Christmas to help shore up extra costs following a restructuring plan.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D105415%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]Meanwhile, Homebase has confirmed that six of its sites will close before the end of the year.
These include sites in Sutton Coldfield, Bromsgrove, Cromer, Fareham, Newark and Rugby.
Three more Homebase sites in Derry, Inverurie, and Omagh are also set to close in the coming months, along with a branch in Glenrothes near Fife.
The garden and homeware retailer crashed into administration last month, but around 70 stores were rescued by CDS Superstores, the owner of The Range and Wilko.
At the time it entered administration, Homebase operated 141 stores.