A Harrogate family pet shop will close after 52 years because the owners have seen footfall and sales drop.
Mick Stothard, who started working at A P & K Stothard Pet Store when he was 10 years old, will retire and the shop will shut its doors on October 3.
He believes that there is not enough support for independent businesses in the town and called for local councillors to step up to help.
A P & K Stothard in 2014 when it owned more unit.
Peter and Kath Stothard, Mick’s parents, started the pet store in 1968 with just £47. It had spanned over four units along the street before it reduced in size to one unit in recent years.
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Mr Stothard told the Stray Ferret that he will transfer most of his stock over to his son and daughter’s shop, Posh Paws on Leeds Road, which will continue to trade. He added:
“We are just not getting enough people through. The town centre is struggling, there are so many shops that are closing down.
“It is all I have ever known. It will be tough to say goodbye after so many years. It is much more difficult now.”
What the pet shop used to take in one week is now taken over four or five weeks. This latest closure follows Bookstall Newsagents, The Cooperative Bank and Gambaru Fitness all closing their doors in recent weeks.
However, it has not been all bad for businesses on Commerical Street. A new fishmonger opened today, with queues out of the door.
