THE owners of a Lichfield shoe shop have confirmed that talks to save the business have failed.
Friary Shoes has recently closed a site in Uttoxeter as well as temporarily shuttering the store in the Three Spires Shopping Centre while restructuring talks took place.
But Adam and Tracey Lumb say they have now taken the tough decision to shut permanently.
In a statement they said:
“We have been absolutely dumbfounded by all the love, comments, encouragement and offers of help we have received over the past few days and we cannot thank everyone enough.
“We were hopeful that after working with advisors that we may be able to keep Friary Shoes in some format in Lichfield.
“Many factors have contributed to this– Covid closures, an increase in online shopping, the cost of living crisis, and more recently the current development of Lichfield which has had a massive impact on footfall. Lichfield District Council have been very supportive to us while the project has been ongoing and tried hard to help us as much as they were able.
“Like most small businesses we have given our hearts, souls and much more to survive. We have tried our very hardest to find a way forward for us to be able to continue in some format in Lichfield.
“Unfortunately, there are just too many obstacles to overcome to make the business viable.Therefore we have made the heartbreaking decision to close our beloved family business.”
The owners of the 120-year-old business said that they feared other local companies could face a similar fate as financial pressures bite in the coming months.
“The Government’s decision to raise the minimum wage, raise National Insurance contributions and increase the business rates by lowering the current discount all in one go mean it would be an additional cost of £30,000 just at the Lichfield store.
“We fear we won’t be the only business that won’t be able to soak up these costs and unfortunately it will push more and more lovely businesses over the brink.
“Closing a business people have loved for so many years is incredibly emotional and so very difficult for everyone involved, from our staff, our suppliers, our landlords, our customers and our family. We are mentally and physically drained and have had to make the right decision for ourselves, our health and our sanity.
“Lichfield is a fabulous city, it has some of the most amazing independent and unique businesses, and it has been a privilege and our pleasure to be part of the community for so many decades.”
The shop will temporarily reopen between from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12th February to 1st March to sell off remaining stock.
The owners said:
“During this time if anyone has a credit note or gift voucher from either the Lichfield or Uttoxeter store you can use these during these dates.
“To each and every person who has shopped with us over the years, thank you for trusting us with looking after your children’s feet as they grew and coming back to us time after time.
“We are just so sorry we can’t continue, but hope everyone can understand how difficult this decision has been for us.”
Well done Labour, another longstanding small business down the drain thanks to your policies. Many businesses were already on the brink, and Labour has given them a violent shove past it!
So sad to hear that. Like so many others, we have bought all our shoes at Friary Shoes for many years; they had the best selection in the W Midlands.
Thanks and best wishes to the family.
Friary Shoes has been part of the furniture of Lichfield. The only remaining shoe shop in the city. Like many others, Dudleys (furniture) , Joy Robson (ladies cloths) Ironmongers, Greengrocers, Pubs and much else they are consigned to history. The high street is poorer for it, and so is Lichfield.
Thank you Friary you have served us for our lifetime. Your going is like a bereavement. Circumstances change our lives all the time and many in power just don’t understand the consequences of their decisions. The depletion of Lichfield shops has become self perpetuating!
This is so sad… Friary Shoes was the place everyone went for their school shoes ): . Labour really is ruining Lichfield.
Mia The internet has been around now for 20+ years Are you blaming Labour for that? Have you actually read the article? The “hi end” retail has been suffering for many years. With changes to more casual clothing inc shoes – this was inevitable, but unfortunately trainers have outsold all other adult footwear each year since 2001. You cannot run a profitable shoe business on kids school shoes – even Clarks own shops have closed!!
Sad news. We bought school shoes for our children from Friary Shoes for over 20 years. It’s a shame that a combination of circumstances has led to its closure, including the Council’s misguided cinema redevelopment, which does not seem to have much consideration for the needs of existing Lichfield businesses.
Mia Peters, I agree regarding how this awful government has facilitated the demise of shops, businesses and other companies with their awful policies. The British people have had one lousy government after another over the last 50 odd years of both colours and the end result is that the UK is a complete mess now. Such a shame that another excellent business has had to call it a day after being badly let down by local/ national government.
This is such sad news and must be devastating for the owners and staff. It was a fabulous shop, the staff were always wonderful and took their time to help our son with additional needs each year for his school shoes. I only hope we can find somewhere as good going forwards, thank you and sorry you have had to close.
The plain fact is trainer type shoes are the norm now. Look at the number of outlets for trainers & walking shoes/boots in Lichfield. A business cannot live on supplying kids shoes for school & 1 purchase every 2/3 years of adult shoes. The internet is more than 20 years old – still growing, better range there too, delivered to your door
Despite the many shortcomings of this government I give daily thanks they replaced the previous charlatans.
Yes, the previous fifty years have been mostly dreadful. The economic policies have been ruinous.
The only thing that economic policies have in common is that they eventually fail and a new system appears to replace the failed ways.
Time for the progressive left to come together to bring hope to a failed nation.
Mia and Scotto have you already forgotten 14 years of slah and burn?
Labour have made mis-steps at the start of their term, but don’t try writing decade and a half of chaos from the record books.
Quelle surprise after the recent announcement.
The shops up that end are struggling with the multi storey car park demolished and building work going on.
The government piling more on with taxes and national insurance.
They will not be the only shop closing.
Will our new M P be there at the closing, as his government are closing shops down, like he was at celebrating 120 years trading, it only took them 6 months to do away with 120 years of trading
Another of the few remaining reasons to go to Lichfield is thus removed. I have visited this shop since I returned to Lichfield twenty-five years ago but, with diminished mobility, am now debarred by the Tamworth St. gauleiters from doing so by car, there being few parking spaces.
Soon we shall have a city of charity and coffee shops only. Pity that.
That is sad to read. I have shopped there for over 50 years. Another small business bites the dust. Small businesses should be encouraged. My sympathy goes to the owners who obviously tried their utmost to keep the shop open.