Family-run department store closing after 112 years serving customers | UK | News
Hancock & Wood – a fixture in Warrington since 1914 (Image: Google Maps)
The iconic family-owned business, which has been serving shoppers in the UK for 112 years, has announced it will close permanently after struggling with rising costs. Hancock & Wood, now owned by the fourth generation of the Hancock family and first opened in 1914, was based at the same location in Bridge Street, Warrington, Cheshire.
Store, Queen Elizabeth II. It formed the background of an important photograph of Elizabeth wandering among the crowds during her visit to the town in 1968. It survived the 1993 Warrington bombing, which caused two IRA devices to explode in the city centre, killing two children and injuring 56 people, and the 2020 Covid lockdown.
Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth walks past the store during her visit to Warrington in 1968 (Image: Hancock and Wood)
But he could not survive the state of the UK economy, with manager Christopher Hancock complaining about too high “running costs”, including “employment costs, utilities and business rates”.
Christopher, whose grandfather opened the store, admitted he spent “sleepless nights” wondering how to break the news to staff, but said he felt it was “the end of the road”.
He explained: “Our costs have risen well above inflation and unfortunately turnover growth has been difficult to keep up. “Warrington is not what it used to be, it has certainly changed and not for the better.
“We don’t have a God-given right to exist here, but with the growth of online shopping and the strengthening of out-of-town retail, life has become a little more difficult.”
But Christopher said it has been “a pleasure” to serve his many customers over the years.
Christopher’s grandfather, Frederick Samuel Hancock, enlisted to fight in World War I a few months after opening the store and returned “in one piece” in 1918, his grandson said.
The building survived the 1993 Warrington bombing, when two IRA devices exploded in the town centre, killing two children: Johnathan Ball, 3, who was in the town with his childminder who had bought a Mother’s Day Card, and 12-year-old Tim Parry, who was caught by the full force of the explosion and died in hospital five days later.
Christopher recalled: “The second explosion knocked my brother to the ground. He wasn’t injured but he was pretty shaken up.
“I remember seeing two little kids killed in the street – it just kind of stuck with me after all these years – it was a very sad time for the town.”
In 2024, when the store celebrated its 110th birthday, the founder’s great-granddaughter, Susie Hancock, recalled memories of walking the store floors in her youth.
He said: “I used to work here when I was little and I used to come and help when I was little. I have two boys, Billie (11) and Henry (9), now they come and help too.”
Store front in the 1920s (Image: Hancock and Wood)
News of its imminent closure next month shocked loyal customers.
Patricia Hulme, from Padgate, suburb of Warrington, said: “It’s one of my favorite shops. I came here as a baby, my mum used to bring me here all the time and I love it.
“You get a nice meal at the cafe and they always have nice, high-quality clothes.”
Deputy principal Diane Oxley said she was not surprised by the closure: “This is like the end of an era, there will be a lot of people disappointed.
“But Bridge Street has definitely been in decline over the last few years, so it wasn’t a shock when we were told.”
The company added the following in its final message: “After 112 years, we have made a very sad decision to close the store.
“As you can imagine, this is not something to take lightly, but the ever-increasing burden of employment costs, utilities, business rates – not to mention the sheer volume of legislation that needs to be navigated – has left us with little room for manoeuvre, and we think it is time to relent.
“We are immensely proud to be one of Warrington’s oldest businesses, founded in 1914, and are deeply grateful to our staff, customers and suppliers who contribute to our longevity.
“On behalf of the Hancock family, I would like to once again thank all our customers and staff, past and present, who have supported us over the years.
“It will be a really sad day for us to say goodbye to Warrington.”
The spokesperson added that the store plans to “go out with a bang”, with a closing sale date to be announced shortly, after which the iconic building will be offered for sale for the first time in more than 100 years.
