'It is very difficult for us': Family-run clothes shop to shut after 144 years
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Assistant manager Dave Dancer said he had hoped to take over the running of the business from his father Mike Dancer and aunt Janet Duerden. But he said tough retail conditions meant this would not be possible.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"We wanted to make sure it would be done on our own terms in an orderly fashion, so my aunt and my dad can retire properly," he said.
"It is very difficult for us, it is very sentimental. Some of our staff have been here for 27 years, so we wanted to make sure it was done properly, so that they would all be all right."
Mr Dancer, 37, said the company would continue to supply schoolwear over the internet for the foreseeable future.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe business has passed through five generations of the Dancer family, since it was founded as John Dancer's shoe and bootmaker in 1880, part of a row of shops in Lye High Street owned by the Dancer family.
Branches in Ludlow, Kidderminster, Cradley Heath, Bromsgrove and Tenbury Wells followed.
A statement from the Dancer family said: "It was a difficult decision to take after 144 years of trading as well as our association with the town of Halesowen, especially as it has been in the Dancer family for five generations.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"However for various reasons, we as a family cannot feasibly keep the business going as it is."
The statement thanked staff and customers, both past and present
"If not for you, we would not have traded for the last 144 years," the statement added.
"And thank you very much to the community of Halesowen for all your support."
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.