Department store closes after 135 years blaming ‘costs and regulation’ | UK | News

A family-run department store is saying goodbye to its loyal customers and staff after 135 years of trading. Managers of Barsleys Shopping Center in Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, have “regretfully” announced they are closing with the redundancy of all 36 staff.

Father and daughter Richard and Alice Barsley say it was a “difficult” decision driven by “increasing economic and social pressures”. The partners expressed their gratitude to their team and said it was an “extraordinary honor” to serve the community for generations.

They said in a statement: “Many of our colleagues have been with us for a significant number of years and contribute not only their skill and hard work, but also their loyalty, friendship and spirit. “This makes this moment even more difficult as we face the reality that their roles will end as part of our closing sale.

“We are truly saddened to say goodbye to such a dedicated group. Each individual played an important role in our story and their contributions will not be forgotten.”

As part of the final chapter of the business, Barsleys closed from 4pm on 7 May to prepare for its public closing sale, which will begin at 10am on Friday 15 May. In February, the company announced it was looking for a new owner, explaining that retail had faced “significant challenges” over the past 18 months, including increases in overhead costs and regulations.

The pair said they tried to overcome the challenges but ultimately financial and social pressures meant they could no longer continue. “We are extremely grateful for your loyalty, support and the many memories you shared,” they said. “We realize this news may come as a shock. Our store was much more than a place of business; it was part of our shared history, and saying goodbye is not easy.”

Alice and Richard said they had now completed the “long” and “difficult” redundancy process with all 36 members of the team and expressed their gratitude to every member of the workforce. Richard, who studied clothing and hardware at Sharp’s of Maidstone, joined the business in 1974, while Alice joined the business in 2013 after gaining a first in Economics at University College London, before working at Debenhams’ head office in London for three years.

Founded by Charles Barsley in 1891, the business is currently on the market with Lawson Commercial for £1.9 million and is available to let for £145,000 per year. Alice and Richard remain optimistic that a retail business will take on the space “which will help support a more diverse and vibrant high street for the community”.

Any questions should be directed to his agent, Lawson Commercial. The property includes a large storefront fronting Commercial Road and an additional showroom fronting Station Road, as well as a retail outlet and café on the first floor.

It specializes in women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, household goods, furniture, flooring, blinds, curtains, kitchen, dining and electrical products, as well as toys, gifts and shoes. Some of the brands sold in the store include Barbour, Seasalt, Joe Brown, Russell Hobbs, Parker Knoll, Sodastream, G-Plan, Skechers and many other well-known brands.

A sale was held at the store in September 2024 to celebrate a £1.5 million refurbishment, generating huge crowds and excitement in the community. The roots of the family business date back to 1891, when Charles Barsley took over the running of a tailoring business in Brenchley.

While he was traveling around the area by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage, taking measurements at customers’ homes, other customers were visiting the shop, which had a tailoring workshop employing three to four people. By 1900 business had increased sufficiently for him to open a store in Paddock Wood.

And in 1903 he purchased Alma Cottages on Commercial Road, then in the Brenchley District, and extended the building to accommodate a store located on the site of the existing store.