Historic Lichfield store to close down blaming rising costs and Government policy.

Friary Shoes posted on its Facebook page that the store is closing down, a week after it announced its Uttoxeter store was closing.

The post said: "Sadly after having to make the decision to close our Uttoxeter store we were hopeful that after working with advisors this week that we may be able to keep Friary Shoes in some format in Lichfield. This has not been the case.

"Many factors have contributed to this. Covid closures, increase of online shopping, cost of living crises, and more recently the current development of Lichfield which has had a massive impact on footfall."

The post goes on to cite as a "Deciding factor," the government's decision to raise the minimum wage, raise employers National Insurance contributions and increase the business rates by lowering the current discount all in one go

It said: "This year it would be an additional cost of £30k, just at the Lichfield store. 

"Unfortunately we fear we won’t be the only business that won’t be able to soak up these costs and  it will push more and more lovely businesses over the brink."

Present and former customers took to Facebook to say how much they would miss the business and how sad they were it was closing down.

Mand Wilson said: "This is such awful news. I've been shopping at Friary Shoes so many years with my mother in law, my children and my grand children. 

"It's so shocking with these governmental changes that Lichfield is going to lose it's only shoe shop of 120 years standing. Plus the jobs of all the workers, who over the years become very familiar faces. I'm so sad and sorry to hear this,

Lorna Sheldon posted: "So terribly sad. But you should be so very proud of all you have achieved and the battles you fought and overcame. No one could have tried harder to save their business."

And Nikki Davies wrote: "So sad you have to make this decision. When my children were at primary school it was our go to for all their school shoes. The customer service was excellent and we still have some of the monkey’s as souvenirs."

The store in Baker's Lane will be open on Wednesday and will operate Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10am-5pm until March 1 when it will close for good.

Back in 2023, the owner of the shop feared council development plans would put an end to the business before the lease would end in 2028. However,  Lichfield District Council denied plans to demolish the unit at the time. 

HMRC have been contacted for a comment.