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York Theatre Royal

York shop closes after 35 years, citing cost of living and Brexit

Thu 3 Aug 2023 @ 5:12am - Business, News
YorkMix

Giselle on Swinegate. Photographs: Richard McDougall

A long-standing independent shop has closed after more than 35 years.

Giselle, the women’s fashion boutique on Swinegate, closed on Friday.

It was run by Ellie Wilkinson and her mum Louise.

York Theatre Royal

In a message posted in the shop window and on social media, they said: “Goodbye and thank you.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have closed our doors for the last time.

“Sadly, with the cost of living crisis, effects of Covid / Brexit, extra duty costs and significant decrease in footfall in York, Giselle will be closed with immediate effect. We are sorry this is so sudden.

“We would like to say a HUGE thank you for all of your support for the shop but also for us as well. Thank you for trusting us with all your fashion needs.

“We will miss you all dearly, many of you we regard as friends. Lots of love and take care!”

Giselle on Swinegate
The notice posted on the shop door

People were dismayed to learn Giselle had gone. One person said on Instagram: “What absolute tragic news.

“A truly beautiful casualty of the modern world. Bricks and mortar independents are so rare these days, especially your calibre of shop.”

Another added: “What am I going to do? My favourite shop in York. This is so sad.”

Chair of York High Street Forum David Skaith said on X: “Sad to see a long standing retailer like Giselle’s close after so many years.

“Just goes to show the hangover from Covid, as well as cost of living and energy prices are still making it incredibly difficult to operate.

“Let’s hope this summer can be a positive one for businesses.”

PM under fire

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Photograph: Lucy North / PA wire

The news comes as Rishi Sunak came under fire from a North Yorkshire business woman.

A small business owner from his Richmond constituency told him during an LBC Radio call-in yesterday (Wednesday) that four small firms in the area shut their doors last week.

She said that they cited “increased taxes, soaring cost, impact of Brexit, difficulty finding staff, all combined with the fact that it was your government that crashed the economy and left people without any spare disposable income to spend”.

She asked Mr Sunak: “What are you going to do about the fact that your Tory policies are causing small businesses to shut up shop?”

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The Prime Minister denied that Brexit was “the reason that some businesses are struggling at the moment”, pointing instead to energy bills and inflation, which he said were “now coming down”.

He said it was “obviously sad” the four small businesses in Richmond were closing, some of which he said he knew “personally”.

He continued: “Every business is going to have different circumstances and what happens in the economy (is that) businesses are always opening as well and starting up. And I’ve seen lots of that when I’ve been out and about recently, which is great to see.”

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Thu 3 Aug, 2023

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