‘Incredibly sad’ sob shoppers as family-run shop to shut after 128 years as ‘no longer viable in the modern world’
A FAMILY-run shop will close its doors for good after trading for over 128 years.
Broadleys opened in East Grinstead, West Sussex, in 1896, three years after founder George Broadley was given £500 to establish a tailoring business.
Generations of customers have flocked to the clothing shop since, but more than century on the owners have said “financial challenges” make passing the business to a fifth generation “unviable”.
A statement posted on the store’s Facebook page read: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Broadleys, a cornerstone of East Grinstead’s historic high street for an impressive 128 years!
“Since our inception in 1896, we have proudly served the local community and have shipped orders all around the world.
“Little did [George] know that his business would still be here, seven monarchs later and become an integral part of this town’s fabric.
“However, after much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors.
“This choice is primarily due to retirement and the financial challenges that regrettably render the continuation of our business by the fifth generation unviable.”
Dozens of the store’s customers commented on the post and said it would be “hugely missed in the town”.
One wrote that the shop was “an integral part of our town“.
Another added: “Slowly but surely, everything we’ve known and relied on over the years is disappearing”.
A third said: “You’ll be missed not just the shop but your whole family, with your helpful staff.”
George had expanded the business after launching in East Grinstead and at its height it had seven branches across the South of England.
The East Grinstead store was taken over by current owner Simon Broadley in 1997. Since 2001 it has been Broadleys’ only bricks and mortar site.
Simon’s son Alex is also involved in the running of the business, which will hold a closing down sale from Thursday May 16.
Broadley’s is the latest in a string of high profile store closures to rock shoppers in East Grinstead.
In March it was announced Clarks would close its branch in the town. The previous month M&Co had disappeared after the business fell into administration and bakery chain Greggs had closed a branch in London Street.
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year, and more are coming.
The number of jobs lost in British retail dropped last year, but 120,000 people still lost their employment, figures have suggested.
Figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed that 10,494 shops closed for the last time during 2023, and 119,405 jobs were lost in the sector.
It was fewer shops than had been lost for several years, and a reduction from 151,641 jobs lost in 2022.
The centre’s director, Professor Joshua Bamfield, said the improvement is “less bad” than good.
Although there were some big-name losses from the high street, including Wilko, many large companies had already gone bust before 2022, the centre said, such as Topshop owner Arcadia, Jessops and Debenhams.
“The cost-of-living crisis, inflation and increases in interest rates have led many consumers to tighten their belts, reducing retail spend,” Prof Bamfield said.
“Retailers themselves have suffered increasing energy and occupancy costs, staff shortages and falling demand that have made rebuilding profits after extensive store closures during the pandemic exceptionally difficult.”
Alongside Wilko, which employed around 12,000 people when it collapsed, 2023’s biggest failures included Paperchase, Cath Kidston, Planet Organic and Tile Giant.
The Centre for Retail Research said most stores were closed because companies were trying to reorganise and cut costs rather than the business failing.
However, experts have warned there will likely be more failures this year as consumers keep their belts tight and borrowing costs soar for businesses.
The Body Shop and Ted Baker are the biggest names to have already collapsed into administration this year.
What other changes are taking place on the high street?
The high street is almost unrecognisable compared to what it once was with some locals describing their town as more like a “ghost town.”
Shops, pubs and restaurants are all falling victim to the increasing cost of living, with high rents and bills making it impossible to survive.
Shoppers no longer have the cash to splash like they used to with many just managing to get by after paying for essentials.
Last year popular retailers such as Wilko fell into administration and vanished from the high street for good.
Fans were left devastated over the demise of the discounter, however, it does look like the retailer is making a comeback.
The Range snapped up the website and brand name last year and has since started to open up some new concept stores, much to the delight of fans.
Wilko stores have already opened in Plymouth, Exeter, Luton, St Albans and Rotherham.
Iconic beauty retailer Body Shop also recently fell into administration and revealed it would be closing almost half of its 198 stores.
Troubled fashion brand Superdry is also looking at various “cost-saving options” after reports it is considering a major restructuring.
However, some retailers are bucking the trend and opening up in new locations.
Primark said it will open five new branches as part of a £75m investment.
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