177-year-old shoe shop abruptly closes

Friday 22 February 2019

One of the high street’s oldest stores has abruptly shut down after 177 years, amid money troubles and an ongoing tenancy row - but owners say it may not be the end for the stalwart shoe shop.

Beghins, which has been trading in Jersey and Guernsey since 1842, was open for business as normal earlier this week, but yesterday was locked with all stock having been removed from the shelves.

Pavers, a York-based footwear chain that bought the business 12 months ago, blamed the “challenging” conditions for local retailers and an apparent long-lasting row with the business’s landlords in both islands as having prompted the “difficult decision”.

Pictured: The empty premises in St. Helier yesterday after the shutdown.

A Pavers spokesperson said they were “disappointed” to be making the announcement, explaining: "Since the acquisition of the Beghins business in February 2018, we have attempted to negotiate with both of our Channel Island landlords to secure the future of the Beghins business in an incredibly challenging retail environment. 

“Unfortunately, despite twelve months effort trying to agree new deals, neither landlord has been willing to engage in discussions which would have enabled us to take the business forwards. We have therefore been forced to take the difficult decision to close the business with immediate effect."

But the landlords of the Jersey premises, Jazit Ltd, dispute that account, saying that they "bent over backwards" to accommodate the business.

They say that, when Pavers took over from previous owner, Jones the Bootmaker, it sought to renegotiate the lease in a bid that was ultimately unsuccessful.

A statement from the company read: "Acting on advice from agents, it was not possible to agree terms for a new lease, nor were Pavers prepared to purchase the freehold which was offered to them at a substantial discount.

"Pavers had been paying the rent for one year and whilst discussions for the grant of a new lease took place, the parties were unable to agree terms, despite the fact that Jazit Ltd was prepared to undertake, and has substantially undertaken, all the repair works to the property at its own cost.

"The terms offered by Pavers for a new lease fell well short of current market rental values in King Street and Pavers were not prepared to make an offer of rental approaching current market rental values in King Street."

Pictured: Guernsey's store was also closed.

It added that the landlords were "disappointed" with the outcome - a sentiment that, despite their tenancy disagreement, it shared with Pavers.

"We are bitterly disappointed that such a well-known and respected brand as Beghins will be absent from the Channel Islands, and we are deeply sorry to both our loyal employees and customers for the impact this will cause. Unfortunately, we are unable to keep loss-making stores open in the long-term," Pavers' spokesperson said.

But they haven’t stamped out the possibility of a return.

The spokesperson added that Pavers was "actively looking for alternative locations on both islands and look[s] forward to hopefully reopening in the near future."

It comes as St. Helier faces a question of how to deal with the increasing numbers of empty commercial properties in town, with a possible tax touted as a solution.

The blow is yet more significant for Guernsey, with Beghins’ closure just the latest in a long chain of outlets to have closed since New Year, including HMV.

Pictured: It's the second big high street blow this month for Guernsey, which also suffered the loss of HMV.

The shoe shop was founded in 1842 by Frenchman Paul Begin and his son, Napoleon, and has occupied a place on King Street ever since. 

Despite news of its possible return, the decision to cease trading after more than a century-and-a-half, islanders have nonetheless expressed their sadness at the 177-year-old businesses closure.

Many shared memories of buying school shoes there at a young age, while others said they were concerned for the staff left behind. 

Guernsey politician John Gollop expressed “anger, shock and dismay” at the shutdown, commenting on Facebook: “Another one bites the dust with the closure of the iconic shoe store Beghins.”

Pictured top: Beghins has been a stalwart of the high street in Jersey and Guernsey since the 19th century (poster from era inset). (Express/The Island Wiki)