As trade associations – to include the British Independent Retailers Association (bira) – continue to lobby the government over business rates, historic gift shop, Govier’s of Sidmouth, which opened its doors in 1904, is being forced to close.
Owner Alan Morgenroth, who took over the shop 34 years ago, plans to shut the doors for the last time at the end of the year. The business will move online and continue selling via mail order.
“It’s devastating to close, as we’re one of the few truly independent shops left in Sidmouth,” Alan told This Is Money. “The government has done very little to support high street shops. We have to compete with online businesses, and aside from giants like Amazon, many operate from a backroom and therefore don’t have to pay these rates.”
Top: Alan Morgenroth, owner of Govier’s of Sidmouth, will be shutting up shop at the end of the year.
