Dovercourt: Menswear retailer Coes decides to shut branch following five break-ins and high street decline
William Coe with a selection of ties at Coes in Ipswich. - Credit: Archant
A PRESTIGIOUS menswear store in Dovercourt is set to close at the end of June following a string of costly break-ins.
The owners of Coes in Dovercourt, which has traded since 1979, also blamed the decline of the town’s high street for its decision.
The third generation family retail chain, which also has branches in Felixstowe, Maldon, Lowestoft and a flagship store in Ipswich, said none of the other stores were affected by the decision and would continue to trade as normal.
Owner William Coe said: “It is with great sadness that we have taken the decision to close our Menswear Shop on the High Street later this year,” he said.
“We will be opening normally throughout the spring and into summer and will cease trading in Dovercourt by the end of June 2013.
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“We have decided to do this due to a number of extenuating reasons, which include the decline of the town’s high street offer and also because of the high cost we are incurring in insurance and security as a result of multiple break-ins over the past year - five in total.”
Mr Coe, who said the business would be investing in all of the other stores this year, added that three of the four staff at Dovercourt are set to transfer, with the fourth to retire.
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The clothes retailer said it was continuing to expand as a group and the Ipswich store had recently undergone a million pound redevelopment that has modernised the premises and expanded the selection.
“Our menswear business in Maldon is also thriving, having added new brands such as Gant, Tommy Hilfiger and Lacoste,” said Mr Coe.
“We have been committed to Dovercourt for over 30 years and its closure has not been an easy decision to reach. Thankfully there should be no redundancies as our manager and two of the staff will be able to transfer to Coes at Ipswich, whilst the fourth member of the team will be retiring. I would like to thank them for all their efforts in serving our customers and the local community.”
