One of Wokingham’s prominent independent retailers has ceased trading, with the shop closed and stock emptied late last week.
Wokingham resident Phil Edgcombe opened Phil’s Good Food in Broad Street in September 2020.
Just two months ago he issued a “use us or lose us” plea, and made the decision to open his shop just three days a week due to what he said was a severe decline in footfall, made worse by the closure of Finchampstead Road.
He said his decision then was to focus on the time when “actual humans” were spotted in Wokingham.
In September 2023 he wrote to Wokingham borough council to express his fears that car parking charges in the town were “hostile” to visitors and shoppers.
The online operation of the business has also ceased to operate.
Speaking to Wokingham Today, Phil said: “Unfortunately, this is the reality of running a small independent shop in a town where costs keep rising and footfall keeps falling.
“We’re incredibly proud of what Phil’s Good Food became, a community space as much as a shop, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who supported us.
“The decision to close is sad, but it is also the right one.”
A saddened Mark Ashwell, Wokingham Borough council’s executive member for business development applauded Phil’s efforts, adding that the latest footfall data for Wokingham town centre shows it remained robust, with rises sine January 2024.
Phil’s Good Food has become the third business in little more than a week to reveal plans to cease trading in Wokingham, following The Original Factory Shop and the Co-op food convenience store, both in Market Place.
