A SHOP in Huddersfield selling stoves, cookers and fireplaces will close – as shoppers increasingly warm to buying on the internet.
The Pot Belly Stove Shop at Lockwood will close at the end of April.
The retail business, which is part of Able Fuels Ltd, will transfer to Able’s premises at the railway sidings at Alder Street, Fartown.
Co-owner John Berryman said: “Over the past few years people have been going into the shop, spending quite a considerable time getting advice and looking at the products on display then going and buying them on the internet.
“Then they come back for replacement parts because the they cannot get them online.
“It was becoming clear that it was pointless us having what amounted to a free display area for the internet sellers.”
Mr Berryman said the Pot Belly Stove business would also go online, but products would still be available to buy from the Alder Street site.
The premises at Lockwood – which occupy a prominent site and which the company owns – will be put up for sale or rent.
“We are having a closing down sale and we will shut at the end of April,” said Mr Berryman.
The qualified heating engineer who works at the shop is to take early retirement.
Mr Berryman said the move reflected how competition from internet traders was playing a big part in the “shrivelling up” of the high street – typified by the collapse of Comet and camera retailer Jessops.
