Spalding town centre has received a hammer blow after Hills Department Store today announced it will close its doors in the New Year.
The store has been a fixture in the town for decades and owned by the Turner family for the last 60 years.
Just under a month ago it announced it was making redundancies.
Today (Wednesday, October 7) it announced it would shut completely in 2021.
The statement criticises “the council” for “a lack of support and investment” and also erroneously cites “the latest decision by the council to give permission to expand Springfields” but that decision has yet to be passed.
The application is due to be decided by South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee tonight (Wednesday). Planning officers have recommended that the committee approve the application.
A statement says: “With Hills Department Store having just completed 60 years of trade in Spalding the family have now made the very difficult decision to close the store in the New Year.
“It has, become increasingly difficult for department stores in town-centre locations to be economically viable, which is why so many have already been lost.
“We have battled against many changes over the years, in the early day’s mail order then the ever increasing popularity for internet shopping and then the arrival of Springfields on the outskirts of town.
“Trading at Hills Department Store has been very challenging and the latest decision by the council to give permission to expand Springfields by opening 15 more retail and two restaurant units, vastly increased car parking charges and various pressures on our market traders has resulted in a large drop in footfall to the town centre.
“Spalding has suffered an unfortunate lack of investment or support from its council for too long now which has not been helpful.
“Alongside this, employment costs have risen considerably, and all other associated costs to running a business have followed suit.
“Coronavirus has only exacerbated an already difficult situation which is why as a family, regretfully and with very heavy hearts consider it the best option to bow out now rather than put the business under further financial pressure and risk the decision ultimately being taken out of our hands.
“Our family are acutely aware of the impact that this closure is likely to have on our employees, customers and the town, it goes without saying that the decision has not been made lightly, for every purchase which is not made on our high street is another nail in its coffin, please support your small shops whilst we still have some.
“We cannot thank our loyal customers enough over the 60 years for their support we will miss all of you very much.
“The Hills Furniture Store on Bridge Street, continues to trade and is unaffected by the closure of the Department Store.”
UPDATED – South Holland District Council have released a statement in response to Hills.
