A POPULAR store on one of Hereford’s most picturesque shopping streets will close next month, its owners have announced.
The Cooks Haven on Church Street will cease trading at the end of February following 34 years in the city.
Business partners Gillie Bulmer and Ali Baker put the reason down to the increase in internet shopping as well as issues closer to home.
“There has been much uncertainty over the past few years,” said Gillie.
“I think many people have lost confidence in Hereford.”
She said issues such as an increase in out-of-town shopping and parking charge rises had not helped the business.
Other issues that affected trade included the decision by Marks and Spencer to close its Church Street exit which, according to Gillie, “stopped a lot of footfall”.
Gillie and Ali employ three part-time workers and said they will all miss their customers.
“There are too many people to thank in person,” added Ali.
“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support over the years.”
The final day of trading at the Cooks Haven is set to be February 28.
Meanwhile, the Hereford branch of a struggling DVD rental firm looks to have earned itself a stay of execution.
Blockbuster announced last Friday it was closing 129 stores nationwide after going into administration.
But the company’s city branch, on the Brook Retail Park, (pictured below) is not on the blacklist drawn up by administrator Deloitte, nor a smaller list of earmarked closures announced before administration was confirmed.
However, a note pinned to the door of the Hereford shop this week told customers they can only redeem gift vouchers to half their face value, while no refunds can be offered on any item.
