Family firm closes for business after 92 years (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Family firm closes for business after 92 years

IT will be the end of an era next month when Bucklands, the Devizes family shoemenders and retailers, shuts its shop in Maryport Street after 92 years in business.

Owners Alan and Helen Rake blame competition from supermarkets and other chain stores for the sharp fall in profits over the last 12 months, although they have remained competitive on price and product range.

Mr Rake said: "People will sooner go to a name they have seen advertised on TV than a small family-run shop, even though they might be paying more."

Mrs Rake, the granddaughter of founder Arthur Buckland, added: "You can only carry on for so long if you are losing money."

Mr Buckland and his brother Bill moved their cobbler's shop from the Market Place, where the Palace Cinema is now, to Maryport Street, in 1913, and the shop has been trading there ever since.

For many years they concentrated on shoemending but in the 1960s, the company took over the shop next door and began to sell shoes. Later they expanded to sell outdoor wear and camping gear.

Ken Buckland, the founder's son, ran the business for many years and, although he is officially retired, he still lends a hand.

He said: "I started in the shop when I was 13. It is going to seem very strange when it closes."

Mr Rake said that profits were steadily increasing until last year when other, bigger companies, started to sell similar products.

"It is very frustrating. Millets will advertise a backpack at half price, but that is the price we normally sell them at. People assume only the big chain stores can offer bargains, but they should look at our prices first."