Cheesemonger blames closure on 'dying' high street

The "dying" high street has been blamed for the closure of a business after 33 years of trading.

Czerwik Fine Wines and Cheeses, located on Brighouse's busiest shopping street, has announced it will shut for the final time on 31 December.

The shop's owner, John Murphy, said he had chosen to diversify his business "before I am forced to".

"The high street is dying and I don't want to be there when it's dead," he said.

Mr Murphy said the decline in footfall had contributed towards his decision to close along with increased energy costs and the cost of living crisis.

"There's definitely been a shift towards online sales, it's obvious it's the future.

"Back in the day there was a generation who only knew supermarket shopping, now it's gone even further."

Mr Murphy, 46, said the store took a quarter of the profit it would have made three years ago last Saturday.

"The high street is struggling. I never wanted to close the shop, unfortunately there is no other option."

Although Czerwik's traded for decades alongside other traditional high street retailers, Mr Murphy admitted his business became "a luxury" as the cost of living rose.

He said he had been working for £6.08 an hour - less than the national minimum wage - trying to make ends meet, which impacted his mental health.

"I was really lucky, I enjoyed my 29 years, then it starts hitting you and you are not enjoying work - that's when things need to change.

"It is with a heavy heart and it is very, very sad."

Mr Murphy, who plans to relaunch a cheese and wine business in Brighouse in the new year, said independent retailers offer something unavailable at supermarkets and online.

"We offer quality products, we are maybe a little bit more expensive, but that's not always the case.

"We are not just a faceless supermarket. There is a slight turn back to the high street, but it's too late for us."

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Sarah Courtney, said £9m was being invested "in enhancing retail and leisure opportunities in Brighouse town centre".

“This will be achieved by prioritising people, enhancing the look of the high street and providing opportunities to sit and meet friends to increase footfall and the time spent in the town, with more to do during the day and evening."

Courtney said the council wanted to increase the time people spend in Brighouse by 30%, "subsequently increasing the amount of money spent in shops, cafes, and restaurants".

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