ONE of Hereford’s best-known stores closes for the last time today.
It’s closing time at Chadds of Hereford, the city’s only department store.
The family-run business is calling it a day after 80 years on Commercial Street.
Staff and shoppers are getting a last look of the famous store before trading finishes at 5.30pm.
And while its a sad day for the city, there’s been plenty of happy shoppers, snapping-up last minute bargains.
Kirsty Chadd, managing director, says business has been brisk.
“All day long it’s going to be teeming, and it was packed as soon as we opened the doors this morning,” she said.
“We’re also expecting lots of people to come in at 5.30pm to hear the last announcement,” she added.
Nearly 130 people, mostly women, will lose their jobs from the closure, blamed on online-shopping and out-of-town stores.
New owners, Hawkstone Properties plc, plan to turn the premises into several retail units.
More details soon, and in next week’s Hereford Times.
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