Local residents are in shock after Gardiner Haskins in Dyer Street, Cirencester, announced that changing shopping habits and structural cost increases above inflation have made the store ‘unviable’.
The store said that an orderly closure will occur, with all customer orders properly fulfilled during this time.
Aftersales support will be moved to Gardiner Haskins’ Bristol store when the Cirencester shop closes.
The company said that there will be no effect on its other business operations in Bristol, which remain profitable and continue to trade as normal.
Affected staff will also be given enhanced redundancy packages.
Managing director Ben Allen said: “This is sad news for our staff and the community this store has served for over 45 years.” He thanked customers for their loyal support and said that the company was fully committed to minimising the impact of the store closure on its loyal staff, who have worked incredibly hard to maintain our business throughout a uniquely challenging period.
Chamber President Howard Burr said: “It’s very sad news both for the staff and customers of a long-standing business, which has been at the heart of the town’s business community for 5 decades. The landscape of online businesses driving high street shops beyond profitability is one we see all too often and which I fear is going to continue until the “playing field” is levelled up on tax and regulation.”