End of an era announced
THE board of directors of Messrs Clemersons Ltd, the old established department store of Loughborough announced 50 years ago of its intention to close down, although their furniture removal and storage business was to continue.
The firm said that a closing down sale was to commence on Saturday, February 7, 1970 and would go on until stock was cleared.
In an interview with joint managing directors, Mr R F Clemerson and Mr W A Foster an Echo reporter was told: “It has become increasingly difficult during recent years to carry on profitably a business which seeks to give individual attention and personal service to customers. Now the iniquitous S.E.T has made it impossible.
The S.E.T Selective Employment Tax had been introduced by the government and was intended to subsidise manufacturing companies to boost exports.
The manufacturers were entitled to a tax refund, but non-production firms such as Clemersons were not.
Speaking to the Echo Mr Foster, secretary of the company said that under normal conditions the company’s annual payment for Selective Employment Tax would be in the region of£8,000 to £10,000, not a penny of which could be reclaimed as the company was deemed “non-productive”.
A total of 34 members of staff had been given notice, expiring on Saturday February 28.
Among those retained were members of the removals, storage and office staff.
Among those leaving were a number with long service including two who had been with the firm for more than 40 years. In practically every case the employees qualified for redundancy.
Mr Clemerson himself had entered the business as a member of the fourth generation 33 years previously.
Mr Clemerson said that the firm was still in negotiation for the sale of the premises, which occupied a valuable Market Street/Market Place site in town.
Planning permission had already been granted for a big redevelopment of the site incorporating shopping units with the possible closure of Commercial Place as a public highway.
In their heyday Clemersons, who also owned shops in other towns, employed about 120 people at Loughborough.
The decision to close was taken at a board meeting. Mr Clemerson expressed great regret at the decision which he said was inevitable.
He was well aware that the disappearance of a store which had occupied such a prominent place in Loughborough for many years would be felt by many of their customers.
He added that as far as he personally was concerned he hoped it would be possible for him to continue one or more of the departments on his own account but this would depend entirely on finding suitable premises and financial support.
Clemersons was founded in 1848 by Henry Clemerson senior, at a little shop in Mill Street (Market Street).
He enlarged both business and at the same time gave considerable public service as a councillor and alderman for more than 26
Mayor in 1923-24.
The firm was incorporated as a private limited company in 1911.
As well as branching out into all kinds of furnishings, glass and china, ironmongery etc,. the firm started its own furniture making department under the name of Loughborough Cabinet Company. This turned out high-class handmade products but had been forced to close some years previously.
As the closure was announced Clemersons firm had families on its books, who had traded there ever since its foundation.
During the 1914-18 war, Clemersons made wings for Avro aircraft and in the 1939-45 war carried out contracts for various ministries as well as making utility furniture. years, being