‘Renewed Negotiations’ Results in Gerrards Store Staying Open For Business

A long standing store in Wrexham Town Centre is to remain open for business following successful and ‘renewed negotiations’ over rental terms. 

Earlier this month Wrexham.com reported that the Gerrards store on Queen’s Street in Wrexham Town Centre was due to close – with dwindling footfall and unreasonable rent listed as two reasons for its closure.

The store, which has traded in town for over 30 years was due to close on Saturday 30th January.

However following renewed negotiations with the store’s landlord, yesterday it was announced that the Queen’s Street store will remain trading and open for business.

It is also hoped that following the renegotiations, more landlords of town centre properties will follow the lead and help encourage stores to remain and open in the town centre.

A statement released by Gerrards yesterday, says: “We are delighted to announce that after having made the sad decision to close our Queen Street Wrexham branch after 30 years of trading, following renewed negotiations with our Landlord, we have now agreed favourable rental terms going forward.

“This means that the store will now stay open and staff jobs will be secured.

“We would hope that more landlords will acknowledge that empty stores are not good business and take the necessary decisions to charge rents that reflect the changing retail environment and shopping habits on Britain’s high streets. If this is coupled with realistic rates when business rates are due to revalued in 2017, we would like to remain optimistic that Wrexham’s town centre will not become a wilderness of empty store fronts.

“We would like to thank all of our customers for their exceptionally kind comments and support over the past few difficult days, and particularly our fantastic team of loyal staff in our Queen’s Street branch who we know will continue to provide their excellent customer service and friendly smiles.”