AFTER more than 100 years of service to customers, the plug is being pulled on an independent electrical store.
Halls of Wellowgate – which first opened in 1906 at the Old Market Place before moving into the former Borough Engineers house in 1921 – will close for the final time on Saturday, May 11.
Current owners John and Joyce Abraham have run the shop for the past 30 years, but due to age and the strains of the economic climate, they have decided to call it a day.
The couple, both 65, took over the shop from its founder's children, Gordon and Edna Hall – the son and daughter of the late Edward Hall – in 1982, 13 years after Mr Abraham took a job there as an electrician.
There has always been a contract business running out of the shop and Mr Abraham will keep this going on a reduced scale once the shop closes.
"I have witnessed inevitable changes in the retail market over the past 30 years," he said.
"Advances in technology and access to the internet has affected the way people buy and use electrical equipment.
"Most small appliances are now non-repairable, throwaway items.
"It is no longer viable to employ skilled engineers to carry out repairs when the repair costs nearly as much as a new appliance."
Mr Abraham prides his business on personal service to his customer and believes this type of help in a store is fading fast.
He continued: "The bigger retail stores have staff who are not always fully conversant with products they are selling.
"It is not just about the shop, but being able to visit our customer's home to carry out work needed.
"We are not the only independent business which has suffered over the past few years and it is a shame that many are having to close down.
"Closing Halls is the end of an era and the property is now up for sale – so far we have had enquiries from people wanting to turn it into office space or a restaurant.
"I would have ideally liked someone to carry on the electrical store.
"We have had the best of it over the years and our ultimate aim was to see the shop go into its centenary year. It has gone beyond that.
"We both want to say a huge thanks to our loyal customers and staff who have supported us over the years."
There will be a stock clearance sale at the store from Tuesday, May 7 to Saturday, May 11.
