John Walker blames town regeneration scheme for dwindling business.
Retailer John Walker in Workington is closing down after trading in the town for 125 years.
The shop will close at by the beginning of June and owner Jeremy Walker has blamed the redevelopment of the Workington town centre for the closure of the family-run business.
Walker told local newspaper The News & Star: “The new shopping development has been a big white elephant. The footfall has never come back since the development. This is not the town it was 25 years ago. There are very few independent businesses left, they have been pushed out. It’s just pointless carrying on. It’s time for a change.”
Murray Road, where John Walker is situated, was one of three main roads to be redeveloped in Workington last year as part of a £630,000 regeneration scheme. Walker said that the redevelopment of the pavements on the road took eight months and that new restrictive parking regulations that have cut parking time from an hour to half an hour have put shoppers off.
John Walker is now in the process of selling off its stock in preparation for closure. The store stocks brands including Casio, Citizen, Michel Herbelin and Ortak.
Walker said: “We are selling the stock off. All the stock is on sale. I am very sad that the business is closing after more than 100 years. But there is no future for Workington. The recession has affected us because it is a luxury good. People don’t need jewellery. We have had more trade during the recession with repairs.”