Historic shop in beautiful UK city announces shock closure after 124 years

An historic family-run clothing shop in a UK cathedral city has announced its shock closure after more than 120 years in operation. Chas H Baker opened on Milford Street in Salisbury in 1902 and has been a reliable supplier of high quality menswear to customers in the Wiltshire area over the intervening decades.

However, it has not been exempt from the economic pressures forcing shops to close across the country in recent months and, in a major change to the city's retail scene, will shut its doors for good at the end of March 2026.

The owners, descendants of founder and namesake Charles Henry Baker, told the Salisbury Journal that the shop would be shuttered following a period of low trade and rising costs, with lower-than-expected Christmas trade the final nail in its coffin. Signs on its Facebook page and the shop windows have advertised a closing down "everything must go" sale, with all items reduced to half-price.

While Salisbury is full of historical structures, with its oldest building currently in commercial use dating back to 1308, Chas H Baker had a special place in the heart of many locals, thanks to its consistent friendly service and stock of high-quality brands, including Ted Baker and Barbour.

One resident wrote on Facebook: "How said! One of the last [original] shops of 'old Salisbury'."

Another said: "Chas H Baker made Salisbury stand out from the rest. Exemplar quality and service. The end of an era."

A third added: "Sorry to hear that, a great shop. Bought such good quality products from them 30-odd years ago, can still wear them to this day."

Shops across the UK have struggled to stay afloat amid rising costs, including hikes in employers' National Insurance, the minimum wage and business rates in recent years.

38 stores closed each day across Great Britain during the first half of 2024, according to K2 Business Partners, while only 25 opened - resulting in a net decline of 12 stores per 24 hours.

The financial advisory firm said that footfall across high streets, shopping centres and retail parks had remained between 15% and 20% lower than during the pandemic over the same period, with online retail accounting for 28% of total sales.