A historic Bury St Edmunds clothing store will close its doors at the weekend after more than half a century trading in the town.
Palmers fashion store, in the Buttermarket, will shut on Saturday, while the company’s homestore in St Andrew’s Street will also close down in April.
Around 60 staff will lose their jobs at both Bury stores but some have already found new employment, according to fashion store manager Giselle Roadley-Battin.
Giselle, 59, who started as a window dresser at the shop in 1978, said staff were remaining professional about the closures.
“It’s very sad for Bury St Edmunds,” she said.
“I feel very sorry for the many loyal customers we have and I don’t think people realise how much they’re going to miss us. Palmers was that point of difference in the town.
“We’re very busy at the moment winding down both stores and trying not to think about it.
“We are professionals and will remain busy until the end.”
The fashion store was opened in Bury by the company in 1959 under a different name before changing to Palmers in 1961.
Giselle said: “It was an extremely difficult decision that the owners had to take the close the store.
“We were able to carry on longer because we owned the building. “I’m afraid the consumer used and abused us by seeing what they liked in store and then using the internet to buy it.”
Some Palmers staff have already found new employment and some will transfer to the homestore, which opened in 1998, to work for the final few months ahead of its April 20 closure.
Giselle said: “The owners have been communicating with staff and contacting local companies with vacancies.
“Some have found other jobs and some will take some time out. At the end of April I will take a month to think about what I’m going to do.
“It’s been a very nice company to work for, like a little family really.
“It’s a very sad week for everyone.”
The fashion store has been sold to Pigeon Investment Management, which is based in Bury St Edmunds, while the homestore has received planning permission for a mixed retail and residential development.
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