A family-run kitchenware store is set to close after more than a decade in town.
Kitchen Kave, on Brentgovel Street, is currently holding a ‘flash sale’ with all stock at half price.
But owner, Jay Palfrey, is hoping to relaunch the shop after a refurbishment, as a greengrocer.
Kitchen Kave is holding a sale before it closes at the end of February. Picture: Chris Morris
He said: “I am sad to close Kitchen Kave as it has been in my heart all this time.
“But I am excited at the same time, to hopefully launch the new venture, if a little anxious.”
Kitchen Kave, which has been popular with shoppers over the last 13 years, is set to shut up shop at the end of February.
Jay said combination of factors have led to the decision to close.
“The main influence has been the alleyway created alongside the post office development.
“This has hit our trade by around 40 per cent through a drop in footfall, with people walking from the old town to the new town through there, rather than walking past us. They used it less when it was just a small unkempt alleyway.
“People are also spending less after Covid and focusing on what they need, rather than things like gifts, which we also sold.
“Then there are also business cost rises which has affected all businesses, especially independents.”
Jay said the shop will close for around a month aftewr the sale ends. He is hoping to reopen as a greengrocer at the end of March.
“To do this though, I need change of use permission from the council, and other things like food hygiene,” he said.
“I sold fruit and vegetables when I first left school, so in some ways, it is going back to my roots.”
Jay said he also hopes to sell a range of coffee beans and the new shop.
Son Charly said the family will also keeping their market stall, selling gardenware, and Christmas items in December.
He said the name is ‘likely’ to stay as Kitchen Kave, but ‘it’s not set in stone’.