Shoe chain A.G. Meek is closing one of its shops this week after 60 years of trading in a UK city. A.G. Meek will close its branch in Eastgate Street, Gloucester, on April 12.
Owner David Meek said the shop has struggled since the Covid pandemic and also blamed rising employer National Insurance costs. The rate of National Insurance paid by employers increases from 13.8% to 15% from April 6, while the earnings threshold was lowered from £9,100 a year to £5,000
On top of this, an existing discount on retail business rates has fallen from 75% to 40%. A.G.Meek opened its first shoe shop in Gloucester in Westgate Street in 1965 and moved to Eastgate Street in 2021. The closure means the shoe chain has just four shops remaining, all in Wales.
The shop is currently running a closing down sale with at least 35% off all footwear, brands in store include Kickers, Skechers, Hotter, Van Dal and Timberland. Customers who purchase something in the closing down sale are also being given a £10 gift voucher to use on the A.G.Meek website or one of its remaining stores.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Meek said: “I am very sad to tell you that we are closing our shoe shop after 60 years trading in Gloucester City Centre. We have been struggling with rapidly rising costs and reduced footfall since the pandemic and the shop has not been covering its costs.
“I have held off hoping things would improve, but the recent budget is a disaster for small businesses employing lots of part time staff like ours. Our national insurance on one shop and our business rates are increasing by £5000 a year each from April and this is unsustainable.
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“Bigger retailers are complaining about the Increase but they have the option of putting in more self checkouts and increasing their prices a little. Amazon can put a few pence on the price of each product. We have put on a closing down sale today to clear all our stock. We will be closing in early April. We have lots of stock to clear including Fly London Skechers and Rieker.
“Please come in and say goodbye to my wonderful staff and every customer making a purchase will get a £10 gift voucher to use on our website or in our shops in South Wales.”
A.G. Meek opened its first shop in Cardiff in 1912 and became famous in the 1950s for its Meek’s Sets of matching shoes, bags and gloves. Devastated shoppers have been responding to news of one of its stores closing.
One person said: “This is so sad to read as your business is part of the fabric of Gloucesters history. Sorry to hear your closing. I wish you all the best for the future.” Another said: “Really sad especially when other cities seem to be busy still! What will be left for our children?!”
A third said: “Soooo sad another loss for Gloucester.” A fourth person commented: “Awww very sad … always a favourite of mine to shop, such lovely staff aswell.”
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