FOURTH generation family business Hancock & Wood, Warrington’s oldest independent department store, has sadly announced its permanent closure after 112 years of trading in the town.
Located on Bridge Street, the closure decision was confirmed today, Thursday, following decades of local operation. Management attributed the closure to unsustainable economic conditions, citing surging overheads and heavy regulatory pressures. [1, 2, 4]
In an official statement, company director Christopher Hancock disclosed that escalating commercial liabilities left the business with “little room for manoeuvre”.
Citing the “ever increasing burden” of employment costs, utilities, and regulation, Director Christopher Hancock stated the decision to close was “not taken lightly”.
A clearance sale is scheduled at the Bridge Street location, which will subsequently be listed for sale. Established in 1914 by Frederick Hancock, the store operated through two World Wars and the recent pandemic. Ownership thanked the community for over a century of support.
In a statement Mr Hancock said: “After 112 years, we have made the rather sad decision to close the Store. As you will imagine this is something that has not been taken lightly. The ever-increasing burden of employment costs, public utilities, business rates etc [ not to mention the sheer amount of legislation that has to be navigated ] has left us with little room for manoeuvre and we now feel it is the time to bow out.
“We are immensely proud to be one of Warrington’s oldest businesses, having been founded in 1914 and are deeply grateful to everyone – staff, customers and suppliers who have been instrumental in our longevity .
“We do, however, intend to go out with ‘ a bang ‘and the date of our Closing Down Sale will be announced shortly. After which, the building will be put up for sale for the first time in over 100 years.
Finally, I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the Hancock family to extend our thanks, once again to all those customers and staff, past and present who have supported us over the years. It will indeed be a sad day for us to say goodbye to Warrington.”
