A pet store, designed exclusively for dogs, has announced that it will be closing in March, four years after opening in Wilmslow town centre.
Pets At Home opened their flagship Barkers' shop in the former Blockbusters store on Alderley Road in March 2014 and have since opened a further six shops across the country.
The Barkers of Wilmslow team posted a notice on Facebook stating "It's with an extremely heavy heart that today we have to announce that Barkers of Wilmslow is closing on Sunday 18th March 2018. As many of you know, we were and have had an incredible four years here in Wilmslow – meeting and being here for you and your barkers has truly been an honour.
"I would like to reassure you all that this decision was not an easy one and certainly not one we have taken lightly, but due to many factors we have to say farewell."
Barkers sold a selection of dog food alongside a range of doggie accessories, such as designer leather leashes, collars made from recycled materials and British-made bandanas as well as offering its very own made-to-order bedding service for dogs. The store also featured a grooming spa, offering a variety of services such as trimming, nail clipping and treatments such as Reiki.
A spokesperson for Barkers told wilmslow.co.uk "It is with regret that we have decided to close Barkers of Wilmslow at the end of a trial. All colleagues from the Barkers store will be offered alternative roles in local Pets at Home stores.
"We would like to thank customers for their support and promise them a warm welcome at our local Pets at Home stores and Groom Rooms."
Barkers of Wilmslow will close on March 18th and the other six Barkers' stores will all close by the end of March.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The whole situation needs looking at. Why are rents/rates so high? Why have Cheshire East allowed the growth of Handforth Dean when its effect on town centres has long been understood. Some landlords clearly appreciate the way things are going hence the application to change the top floor of a shop in Grove St to living accomodation.
Great idea Adam, perhaps when the owners (pension companies etc.) are exposed those with funds invested can ask why they are so happy to pay the rates with no attempt to get a tenant. See the old Co-operative Bank Wilmslow. Empty for years. Commercial property agents are useless and if Reeds Rains are interested their empty shop in Handforth is not on the agents website!!!!
Empty shops are part of the solution to lower rents. Empty shops balance out supply and demand and give choice to tenants.
It’s economic illiteracy to think that filling all the shops solves the ‘problem’ of high of high rents, on the contrary it would fuel even higher rents.
Do you think someone setting up a new shop wants just two shops to choose from? No, they want to shop around just like the everyone does.
What would be good is to change pension laws to allow pensions to rent out living space above shops. That would change the economic model and help solve the housing crisis without the nimbys complaining. Too many shops have wasted or empty space above. That’s where the focus should be.
Yes you of course right it wasn't just a dog groomers. Much much more than that but sadly yet another example of Wilmslow under trading.
Hello Oliver,
You say quote :
"It’s economic illiteracy to think that filling all the shops solves the ‘problem’ of high of high rents, on the contrary it would fuel even higher rents."
What economic. model are you referencing. Is there a typo here. Maybe ?
However, as ever, most correspondents have assumed it's because our nasty landloards charge too much rent. There are a lot of shops empty, but if the landlords were that bothered they would lower their rents. If they don't, it's because they don't want to or need to - these are their business decisions and we've seen no news articles of landlords going broke because they have too many empty shops and too little income.
To be honest, we've seen the same arguments about too high rents being unfair and driving business out for as long as I can remember. I wish rents were lower, less shops were empty and Wilmslow was a better place to shop and wander around - but I guess the landlords would not agree.