Northampton White and Bishop store closes after 83 years

Website: BBC News
Date: 28/07/2013
Link : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-23482886

An outdoor clothing shop has closed its doors for the final time after trading in Northampton for 83 years.

The White and Bishop store on Bridge Street closed on Saturday, saying its online trade now accounted for about 85% of its business.

Managing director Steve Moseley said parking restrictions and business rates had both had an impact on trade.

He said some staff would move to the company's shop in Rugby and a few others to its Daventry warehouse.

The shop was opened by Walter White in 1930, and started out selling country and workwear to local farmers. By the late 1970s an outdoor centre was added.

However, Mr Moseley - who has been with the company 30 years - said in the past five years its online trade had trebled.

"In Bridge Street there is very little traffic flow and no parking for 18 months. We really feel we can't sustain our business here," he said.

"My heart is here, though. I would have loved to remain open."

Tim Hadland, from Northampton Borough Council, said the authority had tried to encourage more trade in the town centre by offering free parking, "not all the time, but some of the time".