Family-owned retailer in city centre closes for good after 295 years as boss says ‘it's difficult to swallow'
CLOSED DOWN Family-owned retailer in city centre closes for good after 295 years as boss says 'it's difficult to swallow'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A FAMILY-OWNED firm has closed down after nearly 300 years, in a decision the boss says is "difficult to swallow."
The company is believed to be the 'oldest' in the city, having been established 295 years ago.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Atleys is closing down after nearly 300 years
Credit: Google
Based in Coventry and founded in 1730, Astleys specialised in cleaning, hygiene and janitorial products.
It has now closed for good after it entered solvent liquidation and ceased trading.
Directors David and Jonathan said the firm is one of a few independent retailers still operating in the city as the West Midlands has seen a surge in multinational firms.
The closure was caused by several factors, including consumer shopping habits changing after Covid-19.
Rising costs were also an issue as operational costs were described as "increasingly difficult to swallow" by the directors.
In their statement, they said that supplies felt pressured to reduce overheads, often prioritising "fewer, larger customers" over smaller independents which made it difficult to compete in a crowded market.
In a joint statement they said: 'It is with great sadness that the directors of the business have taken the decision to end our relationship with thousands of wonderful customers.
"However, it is time to make this decision whilst we are in the position to be able to withdraw with honour held.
"We are conducting a controlled shutdown, ensuring that we pay all our staff, suppliers and other creditors.
"Astleys has not gone bust, we are entering solvent liquidation."
Popular crafts retailer takes swipe at bankrupt Joann with three word jab after all locations set to close
"Many of our customers have said many wonderful things and expressed shock and disappointment.
"We have heard that Astleys is part of Coventry, and indeed, after 295 years of employing Coventrians, serving Coventry businesses and paying our taxes and dues, we also feel that sentiment.
They added: "If only history paid the bills."
Astley's sold a range of practical products, including protective clothing, chemicals and tools.
Customers on social media expressed sadness at the business' closure, commenting on the high quality, affordable clothing as the biggest loss.
One customer wrote: "Astley's was a really good supplier and good prices. Shame this goes too."
Online reviews praise friendly and knowledgeable staff, as well as good value, high-quality workwear.
One reviews reads: "Great prices, great service, knowledgeable staff."
The store was based in Coventry Business Park and employed staff from the local area.
It comes amid nationwide closures affecting a range of independent businesses.
This has affected historic family-owned businesses like a DIY shop in Yorkshire and a newsagents in Ely.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Tesco giving away FREE £10 Clubcard vouchers for drivers – how to get yours
Plus, we reveal easy ways to save at Tesco HELPING HAND Tesco giving away FREE £10 Clubcard vouchers for drivers – how to get yours Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TESCO is giving away free £10 Clubcard vouchers for drivers - here is how you can get yours. The UK's biggest supermarket is giving customers the chance to earn money off vouchers in store when they spend on fuel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Tesco is giving clubcard shoppers a chance to save on in store Credit: Getty Customers signed up to the Tesco Clubcard loyalty scheme must spend at least £30 each time they fill up their car to collect one stamp. To acquire the £10 voucher, you must have three stamps. This means shoppers will be required to spend at least £90 over the course of three trips a Tesco filling station. This offer started on August 11 and will end on September 21. It is also worth noting that not every Tesco customer has been chosen to participate in this offer. A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We are always looking to reward our Clubcard members, and this promotion offers selected customers a voucher for money off their shop when purchasing fuel at Tesco. "It's part of our continued efforts to ensure Clubcard gives customers more.' But it appears some customers have been offered different ways of earning extra points. For example, one customer on Facebook said they have a chance to earn 150 on Clubcard points every time they spend on fruit and vegetables in the store. The customer said they were required to collect three stamps, and the fruit and veg purchase must be worth £5 or more each time they shop at the store. Save with secret codes It comes as Tesco has also launched Tesco Clubcard challenges, which gives customers specific spending targets and challenges with a chance to earn the extra points. To be in with a chance of participating in a challenge, you must first be a Tesco Clubcard member. It is free to sign up and alongside challenges, you can also earn points in store that can be used as money off vouchers. You must also download the Tesco Clubcard app, which is available on the Apple and Google Play stores. If chosen for a challenge you should see the offers within the app. MORE SUPERMARKET NEWS Tesco is not the only supermarket shaking up its offering for loyalty card holders. Sainsbury's also made a huge change to its Nectar loyalty scheme. Shoppers are now able to access personalised 'Your Nectar Prices' at the tills. Previously, these discounts were only available for online orders or through the Smart Shop app or handset in-store. Shoppers receive up to 10 personalised offers based on their buying habits. The discounts refresh every Friday, giving customers regular opportunities to save on essentials and discover new favourites.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Billionaire owner of Willie Mullins' ‘very classy' new £300,000 horse confirmed and Cheltenham Festival target decided
She really could be anything MONEY TALKS Billionaire owner of Willie Mullins' 'very classy' new £300,000 horse confirmed and Cheltenham Festival target decided Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE billionaire owner of Willie Mullins' 'very classy' new £300,000 horse has been confirmed. And her Cheltenham Festival target has already been decided. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Willie Mullins and billionaire Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary had a public falling out a few years ago but they are big mates again now and could have a superstar on their hands in the shape of £300,000 Poetisa Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription The latest Horse Racing Ireland update showed Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud as the owner of Poetisa. Mullins and right-hand man Harold Kirk saw off Nicky Henderson to land the Cheltenham winner at the Goffs sales in May. Formerly trained by Toby Bulgin, Poetisa won a mares' bumper at the home of jumps in April. Sent off 20-1 under former champion jockey Brian Hughes, she stayed on well up the hill after meeting trouble to win by a neck. Poetisa commanded a price tag of £42,000 as a three-year-old but her value soared after the Cheltenham victory. And Mullins clearly liked what he saw, with her pedigree suggesting big things lie in store in the future. Poetisa is from the same family as multiple Grade 1-winning superstar Macs Joy. The Jessica Harrington-trained hurdler won over half a million quid from 31 career races, which included nine victories. And O'Leary will be hoping for something similar from his newly-acquired mare. Gigginstown House were also listed as the new owners of French import Mino Des Mottes, who it is thought is also in training with Mullins. But it's Poetisa who Kirk has big hopes for. And he had already decided her target for the Festival when splashing the cash a few months ago. The bloodstock expert said: "She's a Cheltenham winner already and she'll only improve. "She was very classy when she won. She's a lovely mare and hopefully she'll go down the mares' route over hurdles as there's a big programme for these mares now." Poetisa can be backed at 10-1 for the Mares Novices' Hurdle, with Mullins' Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever the 3-1 favourite. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Iceland boss dishing out FREE cash to customers for snitching on shoplifters
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ICELAND customers will be paid to snitch on shoplifters, the supermarket's boss has pledged. Richard Walker said the chain would give shoppers £1 on their bonus cards if they point out thieves to store workers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Iceland's boss has said customers will be paid £1 to point out shoplifters to staff Credit: Alamy He said this would help the chain to lower its prices, as shoplifting currently costs Iceland over £20million a year. Iceland is believed to be the first major UK supermarket to bring in incentives for shoppers who snitch on the criminals. "I'd actually like to announce that we will give a pound to any customer who points out a shoplifter," He told Channel 5 News on Wednesday. "We will put it on their bonus card if they see any customer in our stores who are undertaking that offence." Asked if he thought the policy would deter thieves, he said: "Well, yeah, because some people see it as a victimless crime. It is not. "It also keeps prices from being lowered because it's a cost to the business, it's a cost to the hours that we pay our colleagues, as well as it obviously being about intimidation and violence." Mr Walker also revealed that shoplifting costs the supermarket chain more than £20million a year. "That's not £20 million of profit. That's just £20 million that we could pay in more hours to our colleagues or in lowering prices," he said. "So we'd like our customers to help us lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters and then we'll give them a quid back." It comes after The Sun revealed that Britain's shoplifting epidemic is costing households almost £147 a year, as stores hike prices to recoup their losses and pay for extra security measures. McDonald's Sauce Restriction Sparks Outrage: Fan Reactions & Fast Food Changes Many major high street chains have added alarm tags and stickers, each costing around £50, to protect their goods. Some are even going a step further to deter thieves. A Tesco Express in Brighton, for example, recently locked all of its beer and wine behind tills with spirits and cigarettes. Some retailers, including Ann Summers, are even arming staff with body cameras to combat theft. There were 516,971 shoplifting crimes last year, according to the Office for National Statistics - a 20 per cent increase on 2023 when 429,873 offences were recorded. Mr Walker's comments come just days after Iceland announced it would have to hike food prices following the Rachel Reeves' tax raid on businesses. In recently published accounts, the retailer said National Insurance and minimum wage hikes had led to increased supplier costs. It was a significant U-turn to comments made by Mr Walker in January, when he told The Telegraph that companies should stop "wallowing" and complaining about the measures announced in Labour's Autumn Budget. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
