A WINCHESTER High Street store is set to close ahead of its relocation within the next few months.
Closs and Hamblin (C&H) in Winchester High Street will be closing to move to a smaller unit in the area due to the business no longer being financially viable in its current form.
The downsize is expected to happen around the end of January 2023, with the Winchester branch currently looking for a new home near the top of the High Street.
The smaller showroom will only be for furnishings meaning the sale of dress fabrics, knitting yarns and craft products will end after 32 years at the bottom of Winchester High Street.
The staff team of 30 will be reduced to around five employees, with 25 others being made redundant.
READ MORE: Closs and Hamblin (C&H) shop in Winchester set to close within two years
Store manager Julie Pither said: “We’re trying to find a property somewhere at the top of the high street but it’s yet to happen.
"It will just be the ground floor. This means everything in the rest of the store goes so it’s quite sad for the staff and customers because it’s the end of an era for a big family company. We’ve been here since 1988 so it’s very sad.
“We’ll probably be moving end of January. It’s mainly due to the cost of rent, rates, energy, staff and internet shopping, Brexit and Covid. Roll it all into one and sadly it means it’s not a viable business anymore.
“All our eight shops are changing over to small furnishing and interior shops. So, we are only looking at a third of the business moving over.
“The furnishing side has been really strong so there is a positive element as the company can carry on in some format. It’s hard to be positive when people are losing their jobs but it’s good that we’re not going altogether.”
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All eight of the Closs and Hamblin stores have or will be changing to small furnishing and interior shops. The Winchester branch is looking at just a third of the business moving to the new location.
Staff were informed of the relocation a month ago and the shop now displays signs stating: “Store closing for relocation. All stock must go!”
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