SHOPPERS have been left saddened after a grocery store is set to abruptly shut its doors next week after 50 “amazing” years.
The small business has announced it is rolling down the shutters after years of delivering fresh produce in Nottinghamshire.
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The curtain is set to fall on the beloved Bramcote Farm Shop that has been a staple to the community for nearly five decades.
Describing the family-run business, bosses said: “We have a good range of good fresh produce at affordable prices.”
Shoppers flocked to Bembridge Court near the A52 to buy their fresh produce and local goods.
But they will now have to take their basket elsewhere as the store is closing for the final time next week.
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Dedicated owners Anne and Andrew Woodward announced the decision in a heartbreaking post.
Anne said the move following Andrew’s health issues.
Taking to Facebook, they said: “As a lot of you know Andrew hasn’t been in the best of health for some time.
“So we have taken the decision to close Bramcote Farmshop on the 30th of March.
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“We would like to say a massive thank you to all our customers for supporting us over the last 46 years especially through the pandemic.”
‘HUGE LOSS’
Saddened locals mourning the loss flocked to social media with tributes.
A user lamented: “So sorry to hear this. But enjoy your retirement. May it be long and happy.”
A saddened customer penned: “We are sorry to hear that you are closing the farm shop,” and another added: “Really sad to see you go.”
Many hailed the local shop as “fabulous little shop” and praised the “helpful” and “friendly” staff.
Former shop assistant Hayley Curwood said: “Sorry to hear this, thank you both for the opportunity to work for you throughout my teenage years.”
Praising staff, local customers said it was an asset to the area.
One said: “You have provided an amazing service to the community and we have had the benefit of fantastic quality fruit, veg and meat for so many years working so hard. Hope you know how much you are appreciated.”
Another added: “Sending so much love. You will be missed but I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say it was an absolute pleasure to shop with you.”
But this is not the only store closing its doors.
Other retailers have also been slimming down the number of high street branches, such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan.
Argos also closed 42 UK shops, including all 34 of its branches in the Republic of Ireland last June.
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Meanwhile, Ted Baker has recently announced hundreds of jobs and stores are at risk after confirming plans to call in administrators.
Marks and Spencer is another retailer that has been making changes to its store portfolio.
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 UK Flooring Direct, 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.
Last year, around 14% of insolvencies were in retail businesses, according to official figures.
