Legendary Wolverhampton clothes shop Rowfers to close
It's been the one-stop shop for alternative fashion and tie-dye T shirts for 25 years - now Rowfers in Wolverhampton is closing.
Owners of the King Street shop have blamed rising costs, fewer shoppers and a lack of council support for their decision to leave.
The students' favourite will close after a sale tomorrow and Sunday.
Roger Sexty, who owns Rowfers with wife Wendy, said: "In retrospect we should have shut sooner but we thought it would get better.
"We just can't see things getting better in Wolverhampton in the future.
"We have not done the best in the past five years or more."
High rent and rates has also contributed to the decision to move the company base to their Manchester branch.
A sign in the window of the store, advertising all stock will be half price in this weekend's closing down sale, has "Congratulations to Wolverhampton Council on another empty shop unit" added to the end.
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Asked about the comment, Mr Sexty said it was 'a bit tongue in cheek'.
"I just feel they have done nothing positive. The things they have done to get new people in, by the time they get them in people like us are moving as there is nothing to help us.
"The only things that seem to open are bookies and pubs, some of which don't last very long."
He believed the council should be doing more to help support smaller, local businesses.
With deliveries on the street restricted to certain hours, staff had to come in earlier to sign for them which was one more cost for the business to cover.
"Now they have changed the flow of traffic again to try and stop people coming through town which will also make deliveries more difficult."
Wolverhampton City Council's regeneration head Councillor Peter Bilson said: "It's always a matter of regret when a business with a strong online presence chooses to close a high street branch."
"However, we should recognise the fact that Wolverhampton is a city where independent retailers can still make their mark."
As well as large-scale projects, Councillor Bilson insisted the council is supporting smaller, independent traders through repair and refurbishment grants.
