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Spalding traders express concerns for the future of ‘dying high street’ after Robert Goddard announced store closure




Town traders are fearing what the future holds for a ‘dying high street’ — and lifted the lid on the challenges facing retailers.

Robert Goddard in Spalding has announced its Market Place designer fashion store will be closing — adding to the list of pubs, banks and shops that have put their shutters down — and in the aftermath of that news independent traders have expressed their struggles against high rents, grot spots, anti-social behaviour and customers choosing to shop online and shopping outlets.

Whereas Springfields Outlet Shopping and Leisure reported a rise in turnover and footfall, owners of Coocumber, Occasions Jewellery, Harrison Rose, Everybody's Gym, Penningtons, Sessions House, Sedge and Inkley’s Menswear are all among those worried that another store closure ‘will affect the town badly.’

A closing down sale is underway at Robert Goddard in Spalding
A closing down sale is underway at Robert Goddard in Spalding

Traders paint a worrying picture of decline happening in the town centre following the loss of high street banks Barclays and Halifax and the demise of department store Coneys empty commercial units along with grot spots such as the old sorting office, Bull and Monkie and the former Johnson Hospital.

Sue Stubley has run Occasions Jewellery in Bridge Street for 17 years and fears the news of Robert Goddard’s pending departure is adding to a ‘sad state of affairs’ - with shop closures a general issue affecting many other towns too.

She said: “The high street is dying and the closure of Robert Goddard is going to affect the town badly.

Robert Goddard on Market Place has announced it will be closing down
Robert Goddard on Market Place has announced it will be closing down

“It is a chicken and egg situation - without the people coming to the town the shops can’t survive.

“What we need is some landlords to charge a lot less rent to try and tempt some decent shops in.

“We need to work at getting good rent costs as we're not going to survive otherwise and could see a huge decline.”

Sue looked into creating a website for her business but found that it was ‘just not worth it’.

Calthrops Solicitors offices were closed for a time
Calthrops Solicitors offices were closed for a time

She added: “Look at Stamford where they combine café culture with good shops. You can’t have one without the other.

Staff at the European Food store in Market Place, Spalding: Andrei Vlad, manager (second right), Cristina Bogdan, Georgiana David and Tania Borcea
Staff at the European Food store in Market Place, Spalding: Andrei Vlad, manager (second right), Cristina Bogdan, Georgiana David and Tania Borcea

The former Calthrops office, which was boarded up for a time, attracted vandalism and graffiti and although it has now been taken over by the European Food Store, there is a worry amongst traders about the same fate befalling an empty Robert Goddard unit.

Guy Woods is manager at Everybody’s Gym, owned by Adam Jones, situated opposite the former Robert Goddard site on Vine Street, which is now residential flats.

He said: “The closure of businesses doesn’t look good for the local area - particularly a long-standing store like Robert Goddard.

Guy Woods , manager at Everybodys Gym Spalding
Guy Woods , manager at Everybodys Gym Spalding

“It is not just a shop that has popped up with no plan.

“It is a worry that there are a lot of derelict buildings near the town centre.”

Mr Woods feels that to get ‘something good, you have to have investment’ and the success of the gym relies on ‘footfall, people being here and the atmosphere’.

Simon Templer at Harrison Rose Estate Agents Spalding
Simon Templer at Harrison Rose Estate Agents Spalding

Businesses in The Crescent including Harrison Rose, Inkley’s, Daisies and Candy Bar have been overshadowed by the old sorting office - a prominent eyesore with its boarded windows and shabby appearance.

Simon Templer, company director at Harrison Rose estate agents, said: “If you were a new business and your first impressions were seeing a few empty shops - it might make you concerned.

“Looking at the bigger picture - with the closing of Robert Goddard - it is a concern and perhaps a sign of the times with the power of the internet.

Unit used to be Party Pranks in The Crescent, Spalding has now been sold
Unit used to be Party Pranks in The Crescent, Spalding has now been sold

“I am sure business owners want to keep Spalding vibrant.”

However a unit next to the Candy Bar has now been sold by the agent and looks set to open - potentially as a commercial business.

A new Business Improvement District (BID) has been established as has a separate Spalding Town Board, tasked with spending £20 million handed over by the Government after it admitted the town had been ‘left behind’. Both bodies are yet to execute their plans to improve Spalding — although extra investment was made for Christmas lights.

There are plans to revamp the sorting office grot spot — with plans passed for nine flats and a ground floor shop — but, again, progress is slow on this site.

An artist's impression of the new building, formerly the sorting office in Spalding
An artist's impression of the new building, formerly the sorting office in Spalding

With Springfields Outlet and Leisure reporting its 2025 week one turnover up 31% on last year and footfall increasing 24% business figures such as Aaron Spencer, who runs Sedge estate agents with wife Erica, are becoming concerned for the future of the town centre and say it needs a ten-year plan.

He said: “If Springfields is the main shopping hub, what is the town centre going to be?

“We need to address the underlying anti-social behaviour.

The Crescent Spalding
The Crescent Spalding
Aaron Spencer - Sedge in Spalding
Aaron Spencer - Sedge in Spalding

“We need bespoke retail - business owners who are interested and involved - and get the footfall.”

Business owners that have moved into the town centre within the last year include Chris and Helen Wheeler who took on Penningtons in Red Lion Street.

Chris and Helen Wheeler, owners of Penningtons in Hall Place, Spalding. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Chris and Helen Wheeler, owners of Penningtons in Hall Place, Spalding. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Andrew Blach and Erika Yao are also the new owners of historic courthouse Sessions House, in Sheep Market, where they run a wedding and events company and host indoor markets and coffee mornings.

Erika Yao said: “It’s saddening to see shops in the centre closing.

“We would encourage people to support the remaining businesses in the centre otherwise the trend will continue.

Andrew Blach and Erika Yao in the iconic building Sessions House
Andrew Blach and Erika Yao in the iconic building Sessions House

“If people want a town centre to be proud of then we need people to support the existing businesses which in turn will encourage new ones to open.”

The businesswoman feels the cycle needs to be broken and that community support is key to resilience and survival.

She added: ”We are keen to continue to support community events at the Sessions House so people should feel free to contact us with new ideas to partner on.”

Coneys Department Store
Coneys Department Store

Both business owners are supporting community groups and small companies in their quest to keep business networks thriving.

Chris Wheeler said: “Obviously we are concerned that the high street is losing some individuality.

“We are demonstrating artwork and supporting local artists and we always support local suppliers.

Coneys Department Store Spalding
Coneys Department Store Spalding

“We are also revamping the gift section of the shop.”

Mr Wheeler feels it is vital that the community supports independent traders and is worried that ‘if not careful, there will be nothing left.’

Rachel Wilding and Claire Burden run Coocumber, a clothing boutique in Victoria Street. Although they have an online presence, the owners have urged visitors to support shops such as theirs in a recent video posted on Facebook.

Closed Halifax Spalding
Closed Halifax Spalding

Rachel said: “Please pop in and see us - I had one customer today - just one.

“We are really mindful that retail is just really struggling at the moment - particularly in Spalding.

“There are some really nice local businesses in town so please support them as that’s the only way we are going to end up staying here.”

Halifax closed sign
Halifax closed sign
White Horse Spalding
White Horse Spalding
Old Robert Goddard building on Vine Street Spalding
Old Robert Goddard building on Vine Street Spalding
Inkley's Francis Street
Inkley's Francis Street
Spalding Off License Sheep Market
Spalding Off License Sheep Market
Easy Shop
Easy Shop
Hughes used to be here
Hughes used to be here
The Nottingham
The Nottingham

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