Highburton Village Stores to close after 150 years

Feb 13 2009 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Villagers’ upset as they lose Highburton Village Store after 150 years in business.

HUDDERSFIELD’S oldest village shop is to close – leaving residents without a store.

And it means no shop for the thousands who live in Highburton after 150 years.

Highburton Village Stores has been at the hub of its community since its doors were first opened in 1856.

The village’s only shop, founded by Highburton Co-operative Society, claims to be oldest independent store of its kind in the world.

But the credit crunch and increasing competition from supermarkets has left the Moor Lane store struggling and its owners have decided to close it.

The decision is a huge blow to the five staff members who now face redundancy and the loyal customers who have supported the shop over the years.

Locals now face longer journeys into the surrounding villages for their groceries, which will be difficult for those who rely on the infrequent bus service.

Beverley Pankhurst has been working at the shop since she moved to the village and was devastated to hear the news that it will close on February 27.

Her husband Peter said: “The staff were told the news last Friday and they were very upset.

“It’s extremely sad that we are going to lose our community shop.

“It has been here for 150 years and it is a part of local history. There’s still a lot of elderly people that grew up with it and it’s been a part of many peoples’ lives for years.”