Trader calls it a day in fight to save shop in Marlborough (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Trader calls it a day in fight to save shop in Marlborough

11:41am Thursday 31st December 2009

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The only greengrocer’s shop in Marlborough is closing today because owner Tim Smith said he is not making a profit and, with the prospect of a Tesco opening in the town, in 2010 there is no point in trying to keep the business open.

Over the last two years Mr Smith, who followed his father and late grandfather into the business, has tried different ways of boosting the trade at his High Street store, including late night opening and an appeal to shoppers to use it or lose it.

He has put up a notice in his shop thanking customers for their support over the years and saying that the shop will open for the last time on New Year’s Eve.

On Christmas Eve he said: “Everything has been said before and there is nothing I can add. I could go on for another year but with prospect of Tesco opening there is no point.

“I have said a personal thanks to all the customers who have supported me over the years.”

The closure will leave Marlborough without a greengrocers and give customers the choice of going to the town’s only supermarket Waitrose, to either of the private shops at St Margarets Mead and Portfields, stalls on the Wednesday and Saturday markets or taking their trade out of town.

Peter Davison, president of Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is a great shame that Tim has decided to close. It is a loss to Marlborough of one of its longest established independent retailers.”

Mr Davison said Tim Smith had played a leading role in the business community and was instrumental in raising the funding for the town’s new Christmas lights.

Tim Smith and his wife Sarah took over the business from his father Gerald who in turn took it over from his late father, Jack.

The family originally had a shop in London Road and then ran stalls at the town’s twice-weekly markets with the late Jack Smith selling fruit and vegetables from his home in Elcot Lane. Gerald Smith and his late wife Dot opened the shop at 5 High Street about 20 years ago.

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