News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

Landmark York shop to close – widespread dismay at ‘end of an era’

by | Business

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Londons’ of York: to close in February

It is one of those shops that is part of the fabric of the city. Londons of York seems to have been there forever – but sad to report it will close for good next month.

Londons, found on the corner of Hawthorn Grove and Mill Lane, Heworth, sells newspapers, magazines, stationery, greetings cards and more on the ground floor, and toys upstairs.

It will shut on Saturday, February 28, 2015.

A notice on the window from owner Ian Simpson says the shop closure is “due to the current economic climate and recent market trends over the last five years”.

The note also expresses the gratitude of both Ian and Derek London to the customers over many years:

Derek and I would like to thank all our customers for their custom and loyalty over the past 100 years of trading. It has being a pleasure.

– Ian Simpson

The shop will trade as normal up until closure. After that newspaper deliveries “will be unaffected” with more details to follow.

In the meantime, Londons is holding a closing down sale. It is offering 50% off greeting cards, stationery, toys and household goods whilst stocks last.

Dismay at the news

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‘I think it’s really sad’
Londons has served generations of York families, and employed many local people – not to mention scores of paper boys and girls.

The news that this landmark shop would disappear has sparked dismay on Facebook.

My first job was at London’s as a paperboy in 1993. I worked there until 2003 working in various roles. Derek London and Ian Simpson were both brilliant people to work for, and I met many friends (both colleagues and customers) during my time there.

– Tim Langham

Oh no. My favourite shop as a kid

– Chris Saunders

When my children were young I always bought their toys from there every single year but if people don’t support these local businesses then of course they will end up closing. I think it is really sad.

But then it is up to these businesses to move with the times and get an internet shop on board too so at least people can order online if they can’t get there.

– Debbie Palphreyman

Awwwww i went there every day as a kid x

– Lauren Harmony Jaden Foster

Yes happy memories of those huge Lego models in the window, and loads of Dinky and Corgi toys too.

– Richard Adkins

So sad a great shop in its time suppose internet shopping didn’t help.and other shops selling toys in store or on line the price we pay for moving on keeping up with the times. Sad.

Wonder will the building be turned into somewhere else to eat.

– Wojciech Simpson

Truly the end of an era.

– Paul Culkin