Related Articles
This year has been a tough one for businesses, with at least three longstanding traders closing shops in Bath.
It’s been no surprise with energy bills soaring – for example, they were expected to increase tenfold for Bath Aqua Glass. Thankfully, they’re still trading, despite the hostile economic climate of 2022, where others have succumbed.
It’s not all bad news, however, and we have actually seen new shops come to Bath this year despite hard times. In May, Dan Shipley opened Larkhall Hardware to the delight of people living nearby, and shoppers were excited to hear F. Hinds will be returning.
READ NEXT: Bath charity’s fears over ‘damaging’ Royal Mail strikes as donations slump
The shops we lost
Walcot Upholstery
In February, the owners of Walcot Upholstery announced they would be closing its Walcot Street workshop.
Tony Cook started the business in 1972, passing it to his son Gary and friend Simon Watson when he retired two decades ago. They offer upholstery services for period and modern furniture, making the workshop one of the oldest of its kind in the South West.
(Image: Bath LIve)
Simon told Bath Live: “We’ve decided to consolidate our business by moving up to London Road, where we already own a showroom. We will continue to offer the same high standard of service from our new premises and we would like to thank customers for their continued support.
“50 years on, we are the same friendly company and we build relationships with our customers. We have clients coming here who have been coming to us for 40 years – and we don’t advertise, it’s all done on word of mouth.”
Fashion Fabrics
In May, we learned that Fashion Fabrics was closing down after more than five decades on Green Street.
It opened in December 1969 and has seen generations pass through. Owner Graham Billington spent his whole working life at its helm, and when the time came for him to retire, he said he had “no regrets” and would “do it all over again”.
Over five decades on Green Street, Fashion Fabrics has watched styles change with the seasons and tailored its stock accordingly. Mr Billington said he remembered the days of “crimplene” and “Mary Quant” dresses.
Rosie’s Accessories
Over the summer, shoppers began to notice a void on Westgate Street, which once housed Rosie’s Accessories.
It was the go-to place for revellers at Halloween, during the music festival season, and at Christmas. Hen parties were often among its customers, finding a tasselled skirt here or a feather boa there to spruce up the bride.
(Image: Bath Live)
The shops we gained
Levi’s
In February, Levi’s opened in the former Clinton Cards unit in the SouthGate Centre. After a dramatic makeover, including new internal fittings and a paint job on the outside, the shop welcomed shoppers on Wednesday, February 16.
Guy Henderson, centre director at SouthGate Bath, said: “We’re always looking to bring new brands to SouthGate Bath, so we’re thrilled to welcome an iconic brand like Levi’s to the city. As such as a well-known and loved brand, we have no doubt that the new store will be popular with our visitors.”
Larkhall Hardware
Dan Shipley opened a new hardware shop in Larkhall village in May, to the delight of shoppers. He filled the void left by Langbridge Home Hardware in 2019 and said he was “over the moon” to score the spot in Larkhall. It is one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and has been dubbed “the breadbasket of Bath”.
Castore and Therapie Clinic
Two more new brands opened their doors to shoppers in the Southgate centre over the summer.
Castore, which specialises in tailored sportswear, and Thérapie Clinic welcomed customers and joined All Saints, Fat Face, Lululemon, Pandora and Tommy Hilfiger in the bustling shopping district.
Sports brand Castore took over the former MAC store on Southgate Street while Thérapie Clinic moved into the old Timberland shop, where it offers a range of cosmetic treatments such as laser hair removal and Botox.
F. Hinds
In August, we learned that jeweller F. Hinds was set to reopen in its old Bath premises after 35 years away.
The Union Street shop had been occupied by H Samuel and was undergoing a refurbishment before its former tenant returned. F. Hinds has survived two world wars, numerous financial crashes, and the recent pandemic since it was established in 1856. The Bath store is the brand’s 115th shop nationwide.
Monsoon
Fashion brand Monsoon also returned to the Bath high street this September, taking up residence in the former Wood’s stationary store on Old Bond Street. Its decision to return to Bath’s main shopping district was a “wholehearted vote of confidence for the British high street” – but it also bolsters the brand’s “sustainable” image by going against online shopping culture.
Sign up to our daily newsletter using the box at the top of this article, or by clicking here to see all of our newsletters
READ NEXT:
