Independent shoe retailer A.G. Meek has announced it will permanently close its Gloucester store in early April 2025, citing rising business costs and declining footfall. As reported by The Sun, the closure comes as the company faces higher employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and a reduction in business rate relief, making it increasingly difficult to stay profitable.
Why Is A.G. Meek Closing Its Gloucester Store?
A.G. Meek has been a fixture on Eastgate Street for decades, but like many independent retailers, it has struggled to recover from the pandemic. Owner David Meek revealed that the store has been operating at a loss for some time, and the upcoming financial changes made closure unavoidable.
Posting on Facebook, Meek explained:
“We have been struggling with rapidly rising costs and reduced footfall since the pandemic, and the shop has not been covering its costs.”
He added that recent government policies have worsened the situation:
“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 £5,000 a year each from April, and this is unsustainable.”
What This Means for Customers and Employees
The closure will leave A.G. Meek with just four remaining stores, all in Wales. To clear remaining stock, the Gloucester store has launched a closing down sale, offering discounts on branded footwear. Additionally, customers who make a purchase will receive a £10 voucher to use on the retailer’s website or other store locations.
Shoppers and locals have expressed sadness over the news, with one customer commenting:
“This is a sad day. I love the shoes that you sell. And the brands that you carry are just lush.”
Another said:
“This is so sad to read, as your business is part of the fabric of Gloucester’s history.”
The Broader Impact on Independent Retailers
A.G. Meek’s closure is part of a wider trend affecting independent businesses. The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) reported that 2024 was one of the most challenging years for small shop owners.
Andrew Goodacre, BIRA CEO, explained:
“Consumer spending on non-food items has declined significantly, while persistent footfall problems and fragile consumer confidence have impacted high streets nationwide.”
Additionally, the Centre for Retail Research predicts that 14,660 independent retailers could close in 2025 due to rising costs, reduced consumer spending, and increased competition from larger chains.
With business rates and wage increases taking effect from April, many small retailers fear they could be the next to shut their doors.
