Workington jewellery business closing after 125 years
Last updated at 08:00, Friday, 05 March 2010
A JEWELLERY shop in Workington, which has been in the town for 125 years, is closing.
John Walker, on Murray Road, will shut at the end of May or the start of June.
Owner Jeremy Walker, 43, blamed new parking regulations in the town centre that had changed people’s shopping habits.
He said the new town centre development encouraged people to shop in the newer part of town, leaving older businesses along Murray Road and Finkle Street with fewer customers.
The shop has been passed down from generation to generation since Mr Walker’s great-grandfather started the business.
He added: “Workington has no future whatsoever. The half-hour parking is abysmal. It has definitely affected trade.
“For 20 years it had always been an hour parking. But shoppers don’t have a lot of time to do much now.
“The council has pushed the prices of the other car parks up so much that the people object.”
Murray Road was revamped last year as part of a £630,000 makeover of three major roads in the town centre.
Mr Walker said: “The development along Murray Road was a disgrace. It took eight months to do the pavements.
“The new shopping development has been a big white elephant. The footfall has never come back.
“This is not the town it was 25 years ago. There are very few independent businesses left. It’s pointless carrying on. It’s time for a change.
“We are selling the stock off and I am very sad that the business is closing after more than 100 years.
“We want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us.”
First published at 19:29, Thursday, 04 March 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
You can park in Carlisle car parks for half the price of workington and i have never saw a 30 min parking restriction there, what ever people think i feel that things will only get worse unless people show a support of solidarity for each other, or otherwise the council will continue to please them selfs with the dig dog bat ideas.
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I have had excellent service from Walkers Jewellers and find the staff very friendly and helpful. I enjoy visiting this shop and I am very sad it is closing. May I wish all concerned best wishes for the future and especially to Mr J Walker who has been excellent in advising me with jewellery I have purchased over the past few months and for just 'putting up with me'
Many, many thanks
Posted by mary nicholson on 24 June 2010 at 12:55