Family-owned Northampton stationery shop announces closure after 'many wonderful years'

"We are a strong business and we would love to continue trading in Northampton but unfortunately the demographic has changed"
Colemans of Northampton is shutting down after 44 years in business.Colemans of Northampton is shutting down after 44 years in business.
Colemans of Northampton is shutting down after 44 years in business.

The family behind a Northampton stationery shop has announced they are closing their doors after 44 years.

Colemans of Northampton has been trading in St Giles Street at the corner of Castilian Street in town centre since 1977.

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But now, the family-owned store is set to close for good this year following a "very difficult decision" not to renew the lease.

Managing director Joey Coleman told the Chron: "Our existing lease is coming to an end in March and we took the decision that it was no longer viable for us to continue.

"We are a strong business and we would love to continue trading in Northampton but unfortunately the retail environment in the town has changed dramatically in recent years” and I'm afraid the footfall has dropped off.

"But we've had our good days in Northampton and we still have branches in the area, but it just won't be in Northampton."

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The Coleman Group has now been in business for 52 years and was started in Higham Ferrers by John Coleman in 1969.

The shop in Northampton opened in 1977 on the site of the former Bransons stationery store.

John’s daughter, Joanna, has been running the business for the past 35 years and has recently brought her own daughter, Tallie, into the business as the third generation of Colemans carrying the torch.

A statement by Joanna and John Coleman reads: "It is with great sadness and deep regret that we announce the closure of Colemans of Northampton.

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"Our lease comes to an end in March 2021 and we have taken the very difficult decision not to renew it. Unfortunately, a combination of the decline of the town centre and lack of easy parking, developments of offices and retail sites on the edge of the town, the rise of Amazon and now Covid-19 have all led to a drop in footfall on St Giles Street which is no longer sustainable for our business to be viable.

"We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to all of our loyal customers over the years. You have been absolutely wonderful and we have so loved serving our local community. We would also like to express our huge gratitude to our incredible staff here who have done the most fantastic job in

keeping the shop going and upholding our very high standards of service until the very last day."