Family-run store shutting after over 150 years in major blow to city high street | UK | News
A 150-year-old store is set to close its doors in a major blow to the local high street. Founded in 1872, Robin Elt Shoes in Worcester is one of Britain’s oldest shoe stores and has been a staple of the Worcestershire high street for over a century.
But after the chain struggled with years of economic change, bosses confirmed the sad news that the branch would close for good. General manager Jenny Elt shared her sadness about the news of the closing. He said: “It is very difficult for me to come to this decision as I am a family business. It is very sad to come to this decision. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible for the store to survive as a store that can continue into the future. We cannot pick money out of thin air.”
Customer Liz Evans remembers visiting the store as a child. He told the BBC: “I remember coming to Worcester with my mother, I’m 72 now but I always remember when we would go to buy shoes. You came to Worcester for the quality of the shoes.”
Ms Evans added: “I think it’s very sad because it’s the end of a number of old family businesses that have been around in Worcester for a long time. It’s very sad to see these old places where you get really individual service go.”
A spokesman for Worcester City Council told the Sun: “Worcester, like all town centres, faces the challenge of online shopping and town centers becoming more focused on leisure and entertainment activities.” The council went on to highlight its efforts to support local businesses in the area.
The representative continued: “Working in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, Worcester BID and other stakeholders, Worcester City Council has undertaken extensive work to support our city center traders.
“Worcester has a distinctive shopping offering, combining well-known high street brands with unique independent traders, and we are proud to support this model as a partner of the recently established Independent Retailers Forum.
“We have raised significant funds to invest in the area, including £4.5 million to improve the public realm, with a major refurbishment and improvements to the Shambles making the area more attractive and accessible.”
This Robin Elt Shoes location will be sorely missed by those who have visited over the years; The store was previously named independent women’s retailer of the year at the industry awards ceremony held at the National Conference Center in 2017.
The family business also received highly acclaimed recognition at the Footwear Industry Award for independent men’s retailer of the year and multiple footwear retailer of the year.
While this vanishing street is truly tragic, Robin Elt Shoes has two other locations open to those wishing to visit in Malvern and Hereford.
