One of Burnham-On-Sea’s longest running shops is to close its doors for the final time later this month with the loss of eight jobs.
Shickle Shoes has been operating in Burnham High Street since 1966, but revealed to Burnham-On-Sea.com that it will be shutting on 20th November.
Geoff Shickle, the proprietor of the business, said on Wednesday that the decision has been a difficult one.
“This is a sad occasion, particularly because eight loyal and hard-working members of staff have had to face redundancy,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“The harsh economic reality is that ever increasing overheads and the shift in people’s traditional shopping habits have brought about a steady decline in Shickle Shoes’ fortunes.”
“Whilst interest in the site has been expressed by several national companies, suggesting that the premises will not be vacant for very long, the loss of local specialist businesses is a growing phenomenon confronting high streets the length and breadth of the country.”
“It is for governments, both local and national, to recognise and deal with the implications that this will inevitably have on communities in the future.”
Geoff added: “We will continue to operate our website, Footwear4you.co.uk, concentrating on Mephisto and Rohde footwear but, regrettably, the days of opening up the shop in the morning are now behind us.”
He also said he “very much regrets” having to lay off his staff so close Christmas, adding: “Sadly, there is never a good time for this.”
Geoff, 65, also closed he and his wife’s other shoe business, JPS Footwear, in 2009, which was based further along Burnham High Street.
Last month, we reported here that Burnham’s last greengrocers had closed, blaming its demise on supermarkets.
Rhonda Mills, Chairman of Burnham Chamber of Trade, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It’s disappointing to see any shop close, especially when it is a long-running business. However, as we stated last month, and as indicated by Geoff, there are other businesses interested in this location which might well offer different choices to the community.”
Pictured: Geoff Shickle, whose shop is closing in Burnham’s High Street
