Village clothes shop to close after 130 years

A clothes store in a small North Yorkshire village is to close, after trading for 130 years.

Ahernes of Hellifield opened its doors back in 1895, selling fashion for both men and women.

Owner Sarah Alexander, who has been running the business since 2007, said shopping habits have changed, and the cost of living had affected trade.

"When I first started here, we had rail upon rail of men's suits, but I honestly couldn't tell you the last time that we were actually asked for a suit. People are a lot more casual," she said.

Alexander said Ahernes had been handed down from generation to generation and she started working for the family in 2001.

"We've still got customers now, in their 80s, they remember coming here because they used to do children's wear and they used to come and buy coats, so they remember it from 60 to 70 years ago which is a real heritage and a real privilege that they still keep coming back.

"Their parents used to bring them for their first proper coats, first proper outfits.

"I've been here so long now I've sold not only to the mother-of-the-bride but then a good few years later she's become the grandmother-of-the-bride."

However, with the rise on online shopping, Alexander said she felt the business had come to a "natural end."

Hellifield has a population of about 1,500 people and Alexander pointed out that many customers had to make a special trip to get to the store.

"We're not on the main high street, we're a bit more rural than that. We've got great parking but with the price of fuel and things like that, I think the world has changed.

"I just feel like there isn't actually a place in the market for us at the moment, unfortunately, so it's time to close the doors."

She added that the building was due to be sold which did make her review the situation.

"Times have changed. I don't really feel that there's so much of a market that there used to be for the product that we offer."

Along with the clothing store, Alexander also runs the post office from the shop, which is also due to close in July.

Alexander said the store means everything to her: "It has been a real privilege. It's been my life for the last 25 years. It'll be quite a shock to the system to close the door for the last time. It is quite emotional really to leave this behind. End of an era."

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