KINGS Chase Shopping Centre has been dealt a double blow in recent weeks with the closures of not only TG Jones and its Post Office branch but also long-running independent clothing retailer Quest.
Quest’s co-owner Dawn Tadghighi stated on social media that the Kingswood branch had closed after 34 years because of “too many changes for us to carry on”. Quest’s branch in Yate remains open.
Dawn, who owns the shop with husband Behrooz, said closing it had been “one of the hardest decisions” she had ever made but they didn’t want to be locked into another expensive lease.
The community aspect of traditional shopping is what Dawn says staff and customers will miss the most: “We were old school and that’s what people like. A lot of the ladies are on their own and that’s how we’ve got so friendly with them. They come in for a chat and they know there’s no pressure on them. We might be the only faces they see all day or they chat to all day. So that’s what’s very sad.”
Cllr Sean Rhodes, a South Glos councillor and chair of Kingswood Town Council, told the Voice: “The closure of any business in Kingswood is sad and concerning to see, especially one that has been around for as long as Quest has, and the potential sight of boarded up shops in Kingswood is not something I’m prepared to sit back and just accept.
“We now know that TG Jones is also closing, putting our Post Office service at risk going into the future. So there are clearly very serious economic challenges, which are going to require creative solutions to protect the community value found in Kings Chase and Regent Street.”
Discussing the reasons behind the closure, Dawn explained: “It’s been a lot of factors for quite a few years. Obviously, the main thing is high rents, rates and the service charges in the shopping centre. There’s no help to be on the high street any more.”
She also attributes the decision to close to the rise in persistent anti-social behaviour in the area, as well as the move from free parking at the Kings Chase car park to pre-paid parking rather than paying when you leave.
South Glos Council owns Kings Chase and a spokesperson told the Voice: “We are sorry to learn that one of the stores at the Kings Chase Shopping Centre has decided to close and wish the owners well for the future. There has been significant investment and improvement work on Kingswood’s Regent Street and Kings Chase recently, and occupancy levels for the retail units in the shopping centre remains high.
“We are currently carrying out repairs and restoration to 37 shop fronts and upper facades on the high street. These improvements including new timber fascias, updated signage and enhanced lighting. The iconic Kingswood Clock Tower will also benefit from cleaning, repairs and new lighting.”