An independent homeware store in Woodley is closing down after 14 years in the town.
The Good Home store in Woodley Precinct has started a closing down sale with items being sold at discount prices.
The shop sells homeware items, including rugs, lamps, bedding, and so much more.
The news has been met with sadness from shoppers.
A man who was passing by said: “It’s very sad to see them go.”
Shoppers have suggested that increasing rents and service charges have affected the viability of the business.
A man called Paul, who was with his black Labrador Beau, said: “Oh that’s a shame because he sells everything, that’s a really handy shop.
“Oh no! There are overheads. I guess that’s what it’s all about, money. It’s the overheads of the cost of not just renting the place, but paying the charges, the electricity, and so on and so forth.
“I guess they don’t have water bills and stuff like that, but … I don’t know about heating either, in these places, but certainly they’ve got electricity bills to pay and overheads to pay.
“And I imagine that that’s really quite expensive, so that’s obviously the reason that he’s had to close. But I also think that maybe because of the type of store he is, he’s kind of selling very select products.
“And I think he’s probably selling stuff that people aren’t going to go in and buy every day, they’re going to go in and buy it when they need it once, take a rug for example.
“You buy a rug, and then you have it for a few years. OK, take a slip mat, you buy it, and you have it for a few years.
“They’re not a replaceable item like food, which you sell and get more in because people always need food.”
The closure has also been acknowledged on the Earley Residents Discussion Board public Facebook page.
Carolyn Thomas said: “Very sad to see that the Good Home shop in Woodley precinct is having to close!
“This shop sells an amazing array of home goods, and the guys have been there for 14 years.
“It appears the rents are increasing to a ridiculously unaffordable amount and they will have to relocate. Such a shame .
“So what will take its place I wonder? Not another barbers we hope.”
Staff of the shop were unable to comment, as the business owner was not present at the time.
It is understood Good Home will stay open for another two weeks before a full closure.
