10 hours ago
English city's oldest shop is forced to shut after 160 YEARS in business as Brits mourn ‘huge loss'
Locals were saddened to hear the 'terrible news'
END OF AN ERA English city's oldest shop is forced to shut after 160 YEARS in business as Brits mourn 'huge loss'
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ONE of Britain's oldest shops has been forced to shut after 160 years due to soaring bills.
WH Mogford & Son in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol has been serving customers in its 'Aladdin's Cave' hardware store since the 1860s.
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& Son in Bristol has closed after 160 years
Credit: Jon Rowley
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The 'Aladdin's Cave' hardware store has been open since the 1860s
Credit: Jon Rowley
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Owner Paul Gillam, 57, said rising bills and decreased footfall have forced him to close
Credit: Jon Rowley
Owner Paul Gillam, who has spent 30 years working at the shop, said it was time to close permanently due to rocketing bills.
He told The Sun: 'It's a culmination of footfall dropping off, banks closing in the high street, people shopping online, and the cost of amenities, bills and staffing costs.
'It wasn't an easy decision. It's taken me a couple of years to come to the decision to close down.
'I'm disappointed for the regular customers but it's the right decision at this time.'
Paul, 57, added: 'I will take a couple of weeks off then I need to find another job.'
The shop, which serves a once bustling high street on the outskirts of Bristol, will pull down the shutters for the last time in September.
One Bristol local, who grew up nearby, described the imminent store closure as 'terrible news'.
Another replying to Paul's post on Facebook breaking the news, replied: 'Very sorry to hear this.
'I have known the shop my entire life.
'There will be many many saddened people when they hear this news.
Popular bank with over 400 spots confirms it is shutting 18 branches in August – it follows 148 closures by rivals
'Mogfords has been a much loved and relied upon business in the village throughout generations.'
Another said: 'You will be very much missed. My sons call your shop 'the shop that sells everything'."
'As a fellow business owner I am aware of the significant rise in operating costs over the last few years. I can't imagine how difficult this decision has been for you.
'On behalf of the local community a huge thank you and best wishes for your next 'chapter'.'
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Locals were saddened to hear of the shop's closure
Credit: Jon Rowley
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The shop will close for good in September
Credit: Jon Rowley
It comes as shops across the country struggle to survive in the changing consumer landscape.
Both chain stores and independents have closed at an alarming rate, citing decreased footfall and rising prices as the reason behind the closures.
