Prestige store to shut – citing high rates and parking
AN ESTABLISHED jeweller is closing after claiming that Southport town centre is no longer the trading environment it used to be.
David M Robinson, located on Lord Street, will close its doors for the final time on Saturday, April 21 after 35 years of trading.
The closure was confirmed in a letter sent out to all “valued customers” by the managing director, John Robinson.
According to the letter, the number of vacant units in the town centre, high business rates and expensive car parking are among the factors that contributed to the decision to close.
It said: “Lord Street, as many of you know, is not the retail trading environment it used to be.
“The number of empty shops, high business rates coupled with expensive parking and general malaise makes it difficult to attract customers.”
He also said that during the last decade, loyal Southport customers have started to shop at the David M Robinson showroom in Liverpool One.
He added: “It is where the retail offer is more dynamic and conductive to what our customers seek today – a retail experience.
“So many of our customers in that area now visit us in Liverpool One, making it impractical to keep it open. We will remember our days in the town with the fondest of memories but ultimately as we listen to our customers, it is evident that Liverpool One is where so many now choose to spend their time.”
The staff at the Southport store are to be relocated to other branches, as the company has stores in London, Liverpool, Altrincham and Manchester.
David M Robinson closed its Chester store in 2016.
The Southport closure comes after another popular jeweller, Peter Jackson, closed in May 2017 after trading in Lord Street for 20 years.
At the time of closure, owner Peter Jackson said: “I shall be very sorry to leave Southport and I hope that the local authority will realise that an urgent effort to revitalise the town centre and particularly Lord Street is needed.”
The David M Robinson shop is holding a closing down sale which will continue until the last day of trading on Saturday, with some items on sale for as much as 50% off.