THE owners of a Lichfield shoe shop say a catalogue of challenges are forcing them to temporarily close.
Friary Shoes – which was founded more than 120 years ago – said the redevelopment of the city centre and financial pressures in the wake of recent Government budget announcements had hit trade hard.
In a post on social media, owners Tracey and Adam Lumb said they had decided to shut the site in the city centre while they “work with advisors to try to restructure” the business.
They said:
“After Covid, the last five years have been tough going. We had thought if we could survive that then we could survive anything. Little did we know how hard it was going to be.
“Since then high street shops have seen a decline, with the growth of online shopping and many much-loved high street names disappearing. The cost of living crisis means that people are worried about food and heating and a pair of new shoes become less of a necessity.
“The cost of running a business has risen so much in the past two years alone that it has become harder and harder to survive.
“The development of Lichfield over the past eight months has also had a devastating impact on trade. The work is progressing very quickly, but unfortunately we still face a number of months being in the midst of a building site – although once completed it will be amazing and we very keen to be part of it.
“However, the budget in October means another blow to small businesses up and down the country, with the planned April increases of the minimum wage, the rise in employer National Insurance contributions and the rise in business rates.
“Friary Shoes like many businesses really want to continue trading but with all these factors against us we are faced with some difficult decisions.”
The family-owned business recently celebrated 120 years since it was founded by Sidney Smith.
Originally a boot and shoe production and repair outlet on Lombard Street, the company grew and switched to selling footwear, eventually moving to the current location at the Three Spires Shopping Centre.
But the Lichfield store will close from tomorrow (2nd February) while the options for the future are assessed – and the company’s site in Uttoxeter has already shut its doors.
The owners said:
“As a small family business we have tried our hardest to survive, but with the current climate, downturn in footfall and the extra costs we face from 1st April we have had to seek external advice and make the extremely difficult decision to restructure our business.
“Unfortunately, this means that we have had to close the door for a final time at our Uttoxeter store on 30th January. We are absolutely devastated that we have had to do this, but we just cannot continue to lose money consistently month after month.
“We are currently working with advisors to try to restructure the Lichfield store which will be closed from 2nd February for a short period of time while we navigate our way through options.”
Another victim of current government . Loss of this store will be enormous in the city
Sad Read,
Wishing you well with the reconstruction.
The High Street has changed to the detriment of All Businesses. I will not repeat the reasons why.
My lasting experience in this shop was going in to buy some slippers a couple of years ago. I went to the counter, slippers and bank card in hand, but the assistant would not serve me because I did not have an appointment!! If high street shops are to survive in 2025, customer service needs to be exemplary, it’s the key factor that differentiates it from shopping online.
This is really sad news and we hope you reopen soon! I for one bought vouchers at Christmas for my niece which have not been spent yet, hopefully there will be advice on getting a refund if you don’t reopen.
This announcement could have been condensed to “We’re closing down”.
They can’t afford to pay their staff? That seems like a problem with them, not government policy.