End of an era - but it’s business as usual
FAMILY STORE FOR THREE GENERATIONS IS SOLD
POPULAR shop Thorpes of Gosforth has been sold to new owners – but it will remain a hardware store under the same name.
The store has dominated Gosforth High Street for 70 years, having been run by three generations of the Thorpe family since it was first opened by radio engineer Edward Thorpe senior.
The owners, brothers Colin and Peter Thorpe, are now getting ready to retire, prompting its sale – and they say they are delighted that another family, led by Fred Wilson, has taken it on, hoping it will continue to sell its unusual mix of everything from bird seed to lightbulbs.
The brothers said: “We are sad to sell the store after running it for three generations – however, we are incredibly pleased that another local family will be taking it over. We wish them the best of luck.” The shop, on Gosforth’s main high street, was first marketed by property firm Bradley Hall in April, when Colin and Peter first announced retirement plans. Their children have followed their own careers, leaving no one in the family to continue on the business. At the time, they said: “We have really enjoyed running the shop, and we are sure that our grandfather would be incredibly proud of the much-loved local business which Thorpes has grown into over two more generations. “We would like to extend a huge and heartfelt thanks to all of our friendly and loyal customers who have made running our shop a real pleasure over the years.” Tim Aisbitt, associate director at Bradley Hall, added: “The business is still incredibly profitable and has an excellent reputation within Gosforth and the surrounding areas, which is why it wasn’t on the market for long. “We were pleased to see the store go to another local family business who are enthusiastic to continue Thorpes.”
We have really enjoyed running the shop, and we are sure that our grandfather would be incredibly proud. Colin and Peter Thorpe