Charles Clinkard to close two shops including original Middlesbrough store

North East footwear firm Charles Clinkard has announced plans to close two stores, including its original shop in Middlesbrough which first opened 100 years ago.

Charles Clinkard bosses say the closures are being made as the company has to respond to changing spending habits on the high street and wider retail sector, forcing it to focus on stronger business performance in other stores and online. As a result, its store in Redcar will shut on July 27, while its Middlesbrough store, on Corporation Road, will close its doors on August 24.

The move comes a month after the business marked 100 years in trading, having grown from the single store in Middlesbrough to operate over 40 shops and concessions across the country, alongside a successful online store. A number of staff are affected by the decision and Charles Clinkard, group managing director at The Clinkard Group, said the firm is making efforts to move affected employees elsewhere in the business.

Charles Clinkard, group managing director at The Clinkard Group, said: “This isn’t a decision we have taken lightly, and we are deeply saddened that we will be losing some of our North East footprint, especially in such a milestone year. Our original Middlesbrough store was established by my grandparents Charles and Eveline Clinkard in 1924 and Redcar followed in 1959, with both stores being a cornerstone of the local retail landscape, catering to generations of families with exceptional customer service.

“We have gone into our 100th anniversary year in a strong financial position and the strategic decision has been made to reflect the changing retail landscape on the high street in the North East, which has meant our store portfolio has needed to evolve with this to allow for future growth and longevity. We have found the rise of Teesside Park, coupled with the pervasive shift towards online shopping in these areas, has altered consumer habits and demographics for good.”

The firm has been investing heavily in its online operations, as well as its data processes in recent years, with work including a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with students at Teesside University to explore the use of software to simplify and automate previously labour intensive tasks. As a result the firm now employs one of the former students as its head of data science.

Mr Clinkard said: “As the ecommerce business continues to grow, this allows us to invest more heavily into our IT systems in the coming years, which has started by bringing multiple software development projects in-house over recent months, improving our online stock availability and optimising our redistribution process. This has allowed us to recruit more highly skilled developers to support the growth of online sales, something we will continue to prioritise.

“Although the Middlesbrough and Redcar stores have faced unique changes and challenges over the years, we remain invested in the high street, something that is very much at the core of our business.

“We also remain committed to our people and customers. Efforts will be made to support affected staff members in transitioning to new opportunities within the business. Additionally, we will continue to support the people of the region in various ways including charitable initiatives.

“We hope we can continue to support the local area with our offerings at Teesside Park and other regional outlets, or by embracing the convenience of online shopping. As the sun sets on this chapter of the Charles Clinkard story, we hope our legacy of quality footwear and unparalleled customer service will continue. The company looks forward to continuing its journey, embracing new horizons while honouring our family heritage.”