West’s Centre store to close after 30 years in business

West’s Centre store to close after 30 years in business

Grant Longmuir, who owns Drivers in West’s Centre, said he was now unable to match the prices on the web and added that shopping habits had changed.

The announcement comes following comments from SandpiperCI’s chief executive Tony O’Neill that parts of town were becoming a wasteland. He also called on the States to reconsider a 20 per cent retail tax which came into force at the start of this year.

Explaining the reason behind the closure, Mr Longmuir said: ‘The reason I have decided to close is that for some time trading in this sector of the marketplace has become increasingly difficult, especially in the winter months.

‘The internet has also played a part in my making the decision and virtually everything is now available at the click of a button and also much cheaper than I can offer. I will be trading for the last time on Saturday 25 August.’

Mr Longmuir said that closing his shop felt like the end of an era.

‘Could the closure have been prevented? I am not sure, as the gradual downturn in trade has been over a period which has seen an increase in internet sales,’ he said.

‘I fully appreciate that with my shop closing it is the end of an era. Many years ago, when the shop opened, shopping habits were very different.

‘Over the years I have introduced many new ideas and products to the market, but people are so much more informed these days, and it is increasingly difficult to maintain the “wow” factor.’

The Grouville resident is now due to work for Robert Linton Cars and that a furniture store would be taking over his premises.

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