Winch & Blatch set to shut three stores and cut 47 jobs in Sudbury due to rising running costs and impact of coronavirus crisis

Sudbury’s 75-year-old department store Winch & Blatch is closing down three of its four locations around the town in December – a victim of the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on the retail sector, as well as rising costs.

Saved from closure is Winch & Blatch’s homeware store in King Street, which began trading under new ownership on Monday.

Townrow, a family-run business with stores in Frinton, Maldon and St Ives in Cambridgeshire, has acquired the homeware store and will retain six members of staff.

However, Winch & Blatch owners Richard and Judith Blatch announced this week that they will close the remaining three stores at the end of this year.

They cited the substantial increases in running costs, combined with the coronavirus pandemic “making it impossible for us to find a way forward to enable the business to trade successfully”.

Director Judith Blatch said: “We have been trying to sell menswear and The Fashion Gallery for over a year, in order to consolidate the business in the remaining stores.

“However, we have lost over £800,000 due to the pandemic, leading to the painful decision we have reached.

“The staff have been consulted and know the details of the decision.

“Unfortunately, there will be 47 redundancies between now and December, unless someone comes forward.”

John McMillan, president of the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, described the news as “terribly sad”.

“It is a sad inevitability of the current situation,” he said. “Department stores have been struggling very hard.

“In Sudbury, Winch & Blatch has tried to consolidate, but has had a tough time of it. It is terribly sad. We hope they can carry on.”

Mr McMillan also argued that the social distancing barriers put up in the high street were having a detrimental effect on trade, stating: “The barriers on Market Hill are not helping at all.”

Mrs Blatch said Townrow’s acquisition of the company’s homeware store in King Street was a very good fit.

“They are an excellent match for both Winch & Blatch and for Sudbury,” she said. “They are another family business, who share our core values and business views. We wish them every success in the future.”

She paid tribute to staff and customers and said it had been a difficult decision to close the remaining three stores in December.

“The Blatch family have been committed to serving the people of Sudbury for 75 years, and thank our loyal and hard-working staff and customers for their tremendous support over very many years, and even more so in recent weeks, which have been difficult due to the current pandemic,” she added.

“Meanwhile, it is very much business as usual for all four stores.

“Both Townrow and Winch & Blatch look forward to the continued support of all our customers.”

Edward Townrow, managing director of Townrow said there was optimism for high street revival in market towns, as it expanded its business in Sudbury.

He said: “We have been trading since 1871 and we have stores in Frinton, Maldon and St Ives in Cambridgeshire.

“We are delighted to announce our business has acquired the Winch & Blatch homeware store in Sudbury, and taking on the fantastic Winch & Blatch team who work there.

“Both Townrow and Winch and Blatch are longstanding family run businesses with the same core values.

“The acquisition of the homewares store in Sudbury is a fantastic strategic and geographical match for our business.

“We are very optimistic regarding the future of the high street in Sudbury, and in particular the reopening of the Gainsborough’s House, which we believe will
bring more people into the town centre.

“Due to the current situation, we are seeing a very strong trend towards more home working and less time spent commuting.

“This trend, we believe, will continue and have a very positive effect on market towns and in particular Sudbury town centre.”