Latest news with #WHMogford&Son
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
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' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 & Son in Bristol has closed after 160 years Credit: Jon Rowley 5 The 'Aladdin's Cave' hardware store has been open since the 1860s Credit: Jon Rowley 5 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'.' 5 Locals were saddened to hear of the shop's closure Credit: Jon Rowley 5 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.
Metro
16 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
This UK city's oldest shop is closing after 160 years in business
A traditional shop in Bristol said to be the oldest in the city is closing in a matter of months after opening more than 160 years ago. Hardware shop WH Mogford & Son, in Westbury-on-Trym, which has been stood on the high street since the 1860s has been forced to close. Owner Paul Gillam, who has worked in the shop for three decades, posted a message to the shop's Facebook followers on June 14. He said: 'After 30 years in the business and knowing it's long history, sadly I have come to a very difficult decision to close the business permanently by the end of September 2025. 'I have come to this decision due to the continuing decline in customer numbers, the increasing costs of stock, staffing, bank and utility charges and the desperate state of repair of the rented premises. 'I would like to thank the many local customers who have supported us over the years.' The shop has been described as an 'Aladdin's cave' of DIY, gardening and pet supplies. During the pandemic, the team recalled how one gentleman would walk to the shop each week to buy 10 screws for 1p each, just so he could have a chat with staff. Customers revealed how upset they were over the store's closure. Peter Berry said: 'Very sorry to hear Paul, but not unexpected. Sadly support for local businesses generally has waned and the Hardware trade has been hit harder than many. 'I would personally like to thank you for many years of pleasurable business and wish you, family and staff my best wishes for the future.' More Trending Victoria Laws added: 'I'm so gutted for you, the staff, for us having an aladdins cave on our doorstep led by perfect customer service. 'There probably isn't much mark up on each product and overheads are killing businesses right now, but we all need to truly support local, even the big guys, before tapping on our phone to order.' Paul took over the business in 2004 but had worked for the previous owner, who was the last in the line of the original Mogford famil, since 1995. During the pandemic, the team recalled how one gentleman would walk to the shop each week to buy 10 screws for 1p each, just so he could have a chat with staff. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Map shows how hot it has to get before it is officially a heatwave in the UK MORE: 'Vigilantes' murdered innocent father they thought was a paedophile MORE: Rachel Reeves reveals £15,000,000,000 transport projects – here's what we know
