Hancock & Wood, a long-standing family-owned department store in Warrington, Cheshire, has announced it will cease trading next month after serving the community for 112 years. The closure marks the end of an era for the business, which has stood on Bridge Street since its inception in 1914.
The current owners, representing the fourth generation of the Hancock family, stated that the decision was driven by a combination of factors. These include the significant rise in business rates and other operating costs, particularly since the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with the increasing popularity of online shopping and the competitive pressure from out-of-town retail parks.
Christopher Hancock, a director whose grandfather founded the store, expressed the difficulty of the decision, admitting to having had "sleepless nights" before informing staff. He acknowledged that the business had reached "the end of the road," reflecting a sentiment echoed by assistant manager Diane Oxley, who was not surprised by the news given the decline of Bridge Street in recent years.
The department store has a rich history, surviving major national and local events. Frederick Samuel Hancock, Christopher's grandfather, opened the store just months before enlisting in World War One, returning in 1918. More recently, the store also endured the 1993 Warrington bombing, a tragic event that deeply affected the town centre.
The closure of Hancock & Wood highlights the ongoing challenges faced by independent high street retailers across the UK. With rising inflation impacting operational expenses and shifting consumer habits favouring digital platforms and larger retail parks, many traditional businesses are struggling to maintain profitability. The loss of such a historic establishment is likely to be keenly felt by loyal customers, some of whom, like Patricia Hulme, have shopped there since childhood.