THE owner of an iconic Glasgow ironmonger has blamed spiralling rents and city centre parking restrictions for the closure after 50 years.

 

As revealed in later editions of last night's Evening Times, Crockets is to shut its doors to customers after half a century operating on West Nile Street with the loss of 17 jobs.

Managing Director Alistair Crocket said soaring costs including rates and parking restrictions as well as the growth in internet sales had made it "impossible" to remain open.

He said customers had been in tears, when they learned of the closure of the store.

The family-run firm, which was founded in 1870, will now operate from its existing store in Ayr as well as trading online.

The Post Office on St Vincent Street will take over the lease, moving in within the next 28 days following its closure.

Mr Crocket also cited the opening of Buchanan Galleries for a gradual downturn in trade, saying it had disrupted the flow of passing trade and warned that the planned expansion was likely to have a detrimental impact on Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street traders.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said it was "very disappointed" about the loss of one of Glasgow's longest-running stores and the accompanying jobs and was awaiting "with interest" the results of a city centre parking review.

Mr Crocket said: "It was a sad decision but we were trying to avert what was an inevitable conclusion.

"The internet has had a major impact on business. We are a large business with high overheads. The rates are very high and keep going up.

"Parking is very restrictive. Our customers can go to B&Q and park outside while they pick up a lawnmower.

"Trade has been falling over the years, since Buchanan Galleries opened. It has drawn the flow of trade away from us.

"You've got suppliers trading online now and operating from industrial estates.

"If you keep pushing and pushing and trying to make it work, eventually the inevitable happens. This way, we will be able to continue trading.

"We looked into smaller premises but the store is synonymous with this part of town.

"Unfortunately we have had to lose 17 members, many of whom have been with us for 25 years.

"We are trying to get some staff in with our suppliers and we have arranged a number of interviews."

The news was greeted with sadness from customers, who have relied on the department store for essential household items for generations.

Paul Rae posted online said: "Always sad to see one of the 'Old style' retailers close down, always interesting to even just wonder round. Probably to be replace by some look alike shop chain,Glasgow city council take note one of the reason's cited for the closure was 'Parking restrictions'"

Stewart Douglas, from Bearsden, said: "Such a shame and others will go the same way once the ridiculous and unnecessary extension to the Buchanan Galleries opens.

Eric Reynolds said: "Maybe council should scrap buchanan galleries extension.All these empty shops in city."

Helen Smith said: "Will be missed by many as you could always find in Crockets that "something " which you couldn't find elsewhere."

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Stuart Patrick said: "It's very disappointing to lose a long standing Glasgow family business such as Crocket's and accompanying jobs from the city centre.

"Having made representation to Glasgow City Council on city centre car parking, we await with interest the results of the current city centre parking review."

A spokesman for Glasgow Council said non domestic rates were determined by the rate poundage set by the Scottish Ministers every year and the council simply collected the revenue on their behalf.

Crockets originally operated as a basket-makers then developed into pots and pans and traditional ironmongery.

The first shop was located in Cowcaddens but was compulsorily purchased to make way for the motorway expansion, so the then flourishing company relocated to the current site of an architectural ironmongers.

Over the decades the store has expanded its range of stock to incorporate clothing, homewares and gifts, in addition to thousands of tools and DIY gadgets and horse riding equipment.