Hancock and Wood, a family-run department store in Warrington, Cheshire, is set to close its doors next month after 112 years of serving the local community. The store, owned by the fourth generation of the Hancock family, first opened in 1914 and has remained on the same site on Bridge Street ever since.
Reasons for Closure
The owners released a statement citing the surge in online shopping, rising business rates, and mounting competition from retail parks as key factors behind the closure. Director Christopher Hancock, whose grandfather founded the store, said he had "sleepless nights" over breaking the news to staff and felt the business had reached "the end of the road."
Historical Challenges
The store, Warrington's oldest-running department store, weathered the 1993 Warrington bombing, in which two IRA devices exploded in the town centre, killing two boys and injuring 56 others. Mr Hancock recalled: "My brother got knocked over in the second blast. He wasn't injured but was fairly shaken."
Frederick Samuel Hancock, the founder, enlisted to serve in World War One just months after opening the shop. The store has been a familiar fixture in Warrington for generations.
Impact of Changing Times
Mr Hancock noted that the high street bears little resemblance to what it once was. The business has battled soaring operating costs since the pandemic. "Our costs have risen way above inflation and unfortunately, our turnover increase has been hard to come by," he said. "Warrington is not what it used to be, it has certainly changed and not for the better. The growth of internet shopping and the strength of out-of-town retailing, life has become somewhat harder."
Customer Sentiment
Despite the challenges, Mr Hancock described it as "a joy to serve" their loyal customers. One customer told the BBC: "It's one of my favourite shops. I came here as a baby, my mum always brought me here and I love this shop." The store offers over 11 departments across two floors.
The beloved department store will shut its doors for the final time next month, the shop has confirmed.
