A York business that has been serving customers for more than 40 years is shutting up shop and merging with a sister company.
Clothes alterations specialist Sew N’ Sews has left its home on famous city street Shambles.
But the staff have been retained and the same service is still on offer – now moved to sister business Alterations Express on Fossgate.
David Binelli runs both businesses. He says the closure of the Shambles shop was inevitable due to spiralling bills.
The main problem was the cost of electricity which rocketed to £500 a month. Even though he was able to get onto a much lower tariff more recently, the financial damage was done.
Mr Binelli also said the building’s owners, City of York Council, had put the rent up twice in recent years, which didn’t help.
Although his lease runs until March, he has already closed on Shambles to save money.
He says Sew N’ Sews has been operating for about 40 years, and at one time employed nine people.
David took over more recently. It now has a manager and one member of staff who have moved to Alterations Express.
“Over the years, shops have closed in York and the work has dropped off hugely,” David told YorkMix.
Just one fashion business, TM Lewin, paid the business £1,500 a month for suit alterations, notably trouser turn-ups. It closed its St Sampson’s Square shop in York in 2020 when the retailer went online only.
Although “everybody loved” visiting the old Sew N’ Sews, thanks to its atmospheric setting inside a 450-year-old Shambles building, it was hard for some customers to climb the steep staircase.
Alterations Express on Fossgate is much more accessible, he says..
“It’s the same staff, and the same service, only on Fossgate,” David said. “The move makes complete sense, particularly in these difficult times.”