Landmark store set to close in the city

A POPULAR Leicestershire department store has announced when it will be shutting its doors for the final time.

Fenwick in Leicester has confirmed that their tills will stop ringing for the last time on Friday March 31.

Shoppers were shocked when the Fenwick chain announced at the start of the year that they would be closing the Market Street store.

The closure will lead to the end of 100 full-time jobs.

The news prompted an outpouring of disappointment from people across the city, some of whom said their family had been shopping at the landmark store for decades.

Confirmation of the closure date prompted a fresh wave of dismay.

Facebook user Susan Chilton posted on the social media website: “Visited yesterday, to reacquaint before their closure.

“Felt sorry for the staff as it was gold spot day, and it was a bit of a free for all!

“Such a shame to lose this magnificent store. Restaurant was busy as usual, meals looked delicious, just hope the staff are getting a decent package when it finally closes.”

Fellow Facebook user Gary Mayberry Barrs wrote: “Noooooooooooooo, it’s so final, shopping won’t be the same without you.”

Fenwick chain chairman Mark Fenwick travelled to Leicester on January 5 to announce the store, which has been trading in the city since 1962, would be closing.

Mr Fenwick said at the time that the traditional city centre retail area in which the store sits had seen much of its once thriving footfall diverted to Highcross and Fosse Park, “which are served by modern, purpose-built car parks”.

The company said other areas in the city, such as Gallowtree Gate and Granby Street, had been hit in the same way.

Following the announcement of its closure, some people went online to say they had not bought anything there for some time as they felt it had fallen “behind the times”.

However, the majority of people commenting on social media websites said they were sad the store was going, and they would miss it.

Mr Fenwick said the store had been losing money “for some time”, which was why it had to close.

He said: “For us, this is a family business. I feel very sad. I was a boy when we bought the Leicester store and it was our third shop and it was the beginning of a golden period for Fenwick.

“So it is very significant for me and the family for it to close.

“This has been a very difficult decision for us, as we have been committed to serving the people of Leicester for over 50 years.

“But the challenging trading environment and gradual loss of footfall has made it impossible for us to find a way forward that enables the business to trade successfully.

“Looking after our Leicester employees and customers will now be a top priority.”

But a retail expert from Leicester’s De Montfort University said the closure of Fenwick was down to its refusal to create an online shop.

Marketing lecturer Nas Harrison said that while the opening of Highcross would have affected the number of shoppers using Fenwick, it was unlikely to be the primary cause of its closure.

She said: “It is so disappointing seeing an iconic brand disappearing (from Leicester), but we have to acknowledge that the retail landscape has changed due to consumers’ buying behaviour.

“Consumers’ priorities are all about convenience, value for money and retailers that are succeeding in the market don’t only have a physical store, they also have a very strong online presence.”

Fenwick has always been an ‘offline’ store, and while the group, which also has shops in London, Canterbury, Newcastle and York among others, has a website, it simply offers information rather than allowing visitors to buy items available in-store.

This, Mrs Harrison argued, was a crucial reason for its closure.

Leicester’s city centre director Sarah Harrison said: “It is sad for the city to be losing Fenwick, not only for the store but also for the close relationship and support David Illingworth, store director, and his team have shown for the city’s ambitions.

“David has been a very valued member of the Le-One Retail Forum and chaired the Market St Traders’ Association.

“I know other stores in the city centre have been keen to offer Fenwick staff new positions as they are widely recognised for their exemplary customer service skills.”