“Get Primark in there!” Readers react to the closure of Spalding department store Coneys

The news of department store Coneys closing in Spalding this week has taken many residents by surprise.

The business opened in 2020, taking over the site from previous operators Hills, also re-opening the cafe and introducing a prosecco bar.

Our social media sites have been busy with readers offering their thoughts on Monday’s closure.

“So sad to hear. All the staff were so friendly. Will be greatly missed,” wrote one reader, a comment echoed by many who paid tribute to the popular employees.

Another said Coneys was ‘the only shop I would go into Spalding for’, adding: “Always loved their beauty and perfume counters, the ladies were always so nice and helpful. Very sad news for all their staff.”

One poster implied it would be a huge blow for trade in the town.

“That’s terrible news, what is the point of going into Spalding anymore?” they asked.

While one poster said they ‘loved the cafe’ but said the ‘clothes were so expensive’, another argued the fault did not lie with the cost of the goods but a wider issue.

“It's not that the quality was too good for the town, but that the local wages are too low for the quality shopping,” they wrote. “People would buy if they had the money. Same reason the Red Lion Food Quarter closed down years ago, the prices were too high to stomach.

“Our area doesn't attract employers paying higher wages. How can that be fixed?”

Others blamed retail options from beyond the town centre.

“Online shopping is killing the high street,” a reader posted.

Another said: “Such a shame but it’s the story in most high streets in most towns these days.

“The large shopping outlets are mainly what has killed off local shopping. I hope the staff are able to find new jobs, it must have come as a shock to them all.”

Of course, other readers had their thoughts on what could fill the void.

“Get Primark in there, it will bring ther shoppers back,” one wrote, not the only to suggest the store would be welcome in Spalding.

Some customers also feared they may be left out of pocket by the closure.

“Very sad to hear this as my grandson has just given me £50 voucher for my birthday,” wrote one.

Another reader asked: “Hubby has got two pairs of jeans being shortened there, not their stock, will he get them back?”