The Chronicle

Well-known city store up for sale

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A FAMILY hardware shop which has dominated Gosforth High Street for 70 years has been put up for sale as its owners prepare to retire.

Hardware store Thorpes of Gosforth was first opened in 1947 by radio engineer Edward Thorpe Snr, and has since become the longest running shop – and one of the most popular – on Gosforth’s main high street.

Now the third generation family business, which sells everything from bird seed to light bulbs, has been placed on the market ahead of the pending retirement of the last family members to run the business, brothers Colin and Peter Thorpe.

Colin Thorpe said: “It was a very difficult decision for us both to put the business up for sale.

“We will both soon be retiring and our children have followed their own careers, so there is no one to carry on the business.

“We have therefore decided that the time is right to find a new owner to take over from us and continue running and growing the business for many years to come.

“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 our friendly and loyal customers who have made running our shop a real pleasure over the years.”

The 1,690sqft shop at 110-112 Gosforth High Street is for lease with Bradley Hall chartered surveyors and estate agents, which expects a lot of interest.

Tim Aisbitt, associate director at Bradley Hall, said: “This business is incredibly successful and has an excellent reputation within Gosforth and the surroundin­g areas. Those that know and live in Gosforth will know Thorpes.

“The unique opportunit­y to purchase a double-fronted store in such a busy and sought after shopping location such as Gosforth High Street doesn’t come around very often.

“We are confident that this store will not be available for long.”

 ??  ?? Peter and Colin Thorpe with Tim Aisbitt of Bradley Hall
Peter and Colin Thorpe with Tim Aisbitt of Bradley Hall

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