Stan set to close Malmesbury shop (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Stan set to close Malmesbury shop

10:00pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Malmesbury By Victoria Ashford

Popular shop owner Stan Malpass is retiring from his menswear business in Malmesbury High Street after nearly 30 years.

The news follows the closure of Pattini Italian shoe shop in the High Street, which closed on Friday, after four-and-a-half years.

Mr Malpass, 69, opened ASM Outfitters in Oxford Street on October 1, 1984, before moving to the High Street on Jubilee Day in 2002.

Since then he has thrived in the town centre, but admits that ill health has got the better of him and is forcing him to step down.

“I hope to sell the business as a going concern, to sell it as it is, as a traditional menswear shop,” said Mr Malpass.

The menswear shop has the agency for selling Harris clothing in the area.

“If I can’t I shall sadly be forced to close it.

“I shall be 70 years old this year anyway, so it’s time I retired,” he added.

“You won’t find any designer label in here and it never ceases to amaze me the number of people who travel some distance to get here; people even come from London.”

ASM Outfitters is the only traditional men’s clothing shop of its kind in north Wiltshire.

“It’s been a wonderful time in business,” said Mr Malpass, who was born and brought up in Malmesbury, but now lives in Tetbury.

“I have got some wonderful clients and I shall greatly miss the banter and camaraderie.”

The news of Mr Malpass’s retirement will be another blow for the Chamber of Commerce, and the face of the High Street, after Pattini closed its doors this week, according to chamber chairman Paul Baker.

“We will be sorry to see Stan go,” said Mr Baker.

“It’s a real shame but we wish him every enjoyment in his retirement.

“Obviously shops closing like this is a concern as they don’t seem to be getting replaced and I think this is something that’s a real worry, particularly with the supermarkets coming along as well.

“We may be able to get some support for the High Street with the Section 106 agreements but that’s a long way off.

“In the meantime we need to encourage people to come in.”