More shutting up shop in Holbeach
Yet more businesses are closing their doors in Holbeach, with at least nine shops standing empty along the main street.
But although the town's business forum members are worried, they think things will pick up for Christmas.
The Taste of Olde Bakery is the latest casualty and Susan's Shoes is also closing.
Other vacant premises include the former Barnet Fair salon, Thimbles Sewing Centre and Aquapets, all on Fleet Road, Y Beauty, The Hollys, Eleys estate agents, the old Sue Ryder shop and the former Holbeach Cafe, all on the High Street.
Holbeach Angling will be moving to Barrington Gate to the former bookmakers premises which could mean an empty shop on Church Street too and Jocelyn's Fashions in the High Street is holding a retirement sale.
New businesses in the town include Quest, which sells gifts and jewellery and is housed in the old Dryden's store, and Barnet Fair, renamed If, has moved into the vacant premises at the top of Boston Road.
Forum member Lisa Teague said: "The forum hasn't discussed the situation fully because we haven't had a meeting since August.
"Although it is worrying I think there will be shops opening for Christmas.
"We want to find people to fill the shops and I think a two-hour restriction on St John's Street car park would help the situation at that end of the town.
"We also need a traffic warden, which is being looked at as part of the parish plan."
South Holland district councillor Nick Worth, who is chairman of the steering committee, said there are fewer empty shops now than a year ago.
He said: "I'm not too concerned about the closures. They all have their reasons for shutting.
"Many of them have trouble paying rates and rents and although we can't do anything about rent, people can apply to us for rate discount in certain circumstances.
"Shopping patterns have changed.
"Lots of people buy online and many want to spend a whole day shopping and that's when Holbeach can't compete."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Spalding
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
