Health food shop the latest retailer to close in Dudley town centre
Holland & Barrett has closed its health food shop in a Black Country shopping centre - as a neighbouring book shop also revealed it would be closing.
The retailer has closed its branch in Dudley's Churchill Centre.
It is opposite Cronin's Books & Bits, which last week announced it was also to close, blaming the failings of both the Government an d the council.
Lianne Cronin, who runs the business with her husband Marc, said takings had fallen by 40 per cent since Dudley Council introduced parking charges in October.
She said closing the shop after five years was a 'really sad decision'.
"Due to the ongoing failings that is our government, especially local government, we can no longer afford to run this business as a bricks and mortar store anymore," she said.
Mrs Cronin said the business would continue to trade online, but the shop would be closing within 'the coming months or weeks'.
"We'll be putting the majority of stock into a massive sale and some of the fixtures and fitting will also be available," she said.
"It makes us ridiculously sad to make this decision and trust us when we say we didn't make it lightly."
She said the combination of the charges and the closure of the bus station for redevelopment was making it difficult to earn a living.
“I don’t mind them putting parking charges on once the bus station is sorted, but to do it now seems like they are just trying to get rid of the shops in Dudley," she said.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said the growing popularity of online shopping and the present economic climate was having an impact on high streets across the country.
"As a business owner myself I fully understand the increased costs of employing staff and the scrapping of business rate relief, which in some cases has trebled business rates for small retailers," he said.
"There is lots of exciting regeneration underway in Dudley town centre, which will bring long-term benefits, but we are aware of the work’s impact on traders and the challenges they face.
“Throughout the work buses are continuing to run a full service to alternative bus stops within the town centre. We are working with partners to look at ways to support them further.
“I understand this will be of no consolation for this particular case but when the Metro is operational and the bus terminal completed, then Dudley will have an uplift in its fortunes. In addition, we have a new entertainment hub in Stone Street square and a forthcoming planning application for a 3,000-seater ice rink. That will greatly increase footfall and boost Dudley town centre businesses."
