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The Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Beloved kitchenware store that closed after 42 years to return on the high street
A POPULAR shop in Llandudno is making a big comeback – just months after it shut down. The Kitchen Range, a go-to kitchenware in the seaside town, closed in March after 42 years when owner Robin Whitehead decided to retire. Locals were gutted by the news, calling the closure a 'big loss' to the town. But now it's coming back – with a fresh new look and a new home just down the road. The revived store will open at 105 Mostyn Street – the old Sweet Emporium site – on July 2. It'll be run by Janet Gordon, who managed the original shop for years. She said: 'I cannot put into words how thrilled I am to be given the opportunity to manage the new Kitchen Range. "It was, and still is, a unique cook shop, providing our customers with an informative and friendly shopping experience." The shop was a go-to spot for locals and tourists looking for everything from pots and pans to hard-to-find kitchen gadgets. Janet added: 'Our customer base has always included locals, professionals and tourists, many of whom have shopped with us for many years." 'We're proud to continue those values, and we'll continue to offer a bespoke ordering service for customers seeking the perfect finishing touch or a hard-to-find kitchen item.' The original store closed on March 8, with Robin saying it was time to enjoy retirement after decades in the business. He first opened the shop back in 1983. Why are so many shops going bust? The new version of The Kitchen Range will keep its personal touch – but with some modern updates. It now has a website, social media accounts and email contact to help shoppers stay in the loop. Janet said: 'We're thrilled to be returning to Llandudno's central high street, surrounded by a vibrant mix of fantastic businesses of all kinds, many of whom we've proudly stood alongside for decades.' Suppliers are backing the relaunch – and say it's great news for the town. Michelle Colins, from national supplier Lifetime Brands, said: 'This beloved local business is set to once again become a hub for culinary enthusiasts and a vital part of the community.' 'As the only dedicated kitchenware shop in the area, its return is a fantastic boost for Llandudno, bringing back a space for quality products and trusted advice.' Locals won't have long to wait – the doors swing open on Tuesday, July 2. While The Kitchen Range is making a comeback, many other shops across the UK are being forced to call it a day. Retailers have been hammered by high costs, falling footfall and changing shopping habits. In Wales, Nibletts Mica in Builth Wells announced it will shut down once current stock runs out. The owners blamed "falling sales and greatly increased costs" driven by soaring rates and national insurance changes. Over in Yorkshire, All Types Electrical in Rotherham switched off the lights for the final time on Christmas Eve after more than 50 years in business. The Closet, a second-hand clothing store in Harker, also shut at the end of last year. Even bigger names aren't safe. Shoe Zone has closed more than 20 branches since last May, dropping from 320 shops to just 297. More closures are expected, with the boss blaming poor consumer confidence and unseasonal weather. Homebase is also shutting sites, launching closing-down sales at several locations across the UK. The Centre for Retail Research revealed that 13,479 shops shut down in 2024 alone – a staggering average of 37 closures a day. Over 11,000 of these were independent stores. With the cost of living still squeezing shoppers and business bills piling up, many high street traders say they're barely hanging on. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce showed that more than half of companies planned to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms also found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020. 2
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Llandudno store brand to return to the high street
A store brand that closed in Llandudno after more than 40 years is now making a comeback. The Kitchen Range on Mostyn Street shut in March with owner Robin Whitehead making the decision to retire. The news was a blow to customers of the kitchen equipment shop - with the closure described as a "big loss" to the town. But the brand is now set to return - with a new store at a different location on the high street. They have taken on the old Sweet Emporium site. READ MORE: The strange scars on one of Wales' most walked mountains with funny English nickname READ MORE: The North Wales estate where '99.9% of people would give you their last £1 if they could' It will be run by Janet Gordon, who was store manager at the last location. They said the store will return with a refreshed look, "while holding firmly to the traditional values and trusted service we've come to be known for". The brand has also launched a dedicated website, joined social media, and introduced email contact for easy, up-to-date communication with customers. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Janet said: "I cannot put into words how thrilled I am to be given the opportunity to manage the new Kitchen Range. It was, and still is, a unique cook shop, providing our customers with an informative and friendly shopping experience. "Previously, the shop was the go-to for so many residents and visitors alike, and we are excited to once again be opening our doors. "Our customer base has always included locals, professionals and tourists, many of whom have shopped with us for many years. The Kitchen Range has built its reputation on a warm welcome, deep product knowledge, and a personal touch that makes every visit easy and enjoyable. "We're proud to continue those values, and we'll continue to offer a bespoke ordering service for customers seeking the perfect finishing touch or a hard-to-find kitchen item." They added: "We're thrilled to be returning to Llandudno 's central high street, surrounded by a vibrant mix of fantastic businesses of all kinds, many of whom we've proudly stood alongside for decades." Michelle Colins, a representative from Lifetime Brands, one of their long-standing national suppliers, added: "This beloved local business is set to once again become a hub for culinary enthusiasts and a vital part of the community. "As the only dedicated kitchenware shop in the area, its return is a fantastic boost for Llandudno, bringing back a space for quality products and trusted advice. We're proud to support The Kitchen Range as it embarks on this exciting new chapter.' The store opens at 105 Mostyn Street on July 1. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
CBC
13-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
First Nations health authority targets vaccination rates after measles confirmed in Thunder Bay
Social Sharing The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) is reminding people of the importance of vaccination after Thunder Bay's first lab-confirmed case of measles was reported on Friday. SLFNHA's vice-president of community health, Janet Gordon, says the authority has held meetings with key partners to collaborate on building awareness, and will be sending regular communications up to the communities and health providers. "We have low rates of immunization all around in the communities and our nurses have been really focused on [getting people vaccinated]," Gordon told CBC Thunder Bay. "[As of] last fall we've been really focusing on trying to increase those numbers in the communities." It's a disease that you don't want people to have, and it is preventable if people are vaccinated. - Janet Gordon, SLFNHA's vice-president of community health Gordon's call also comes as health officials say measles infected 197 more people in Ontario over the last week, bringing the province's tally of probable and confirmed cases to 1,440 since an outbreak began in October. Public Health Ontario's measles report says there have been 101 hospitalizations, including 75 children. Eight patients have been in intensive care. Measles has mostly infected unvaccinated children, infants and teenagers, with almost 500 cases located in Ontario's southwestern public health unit. Pursuing measles as 'a crisis' in communities Gordon said the authority is looking to pursue measles as "a crisis" in the communities. "It's a disease that you don't want people to have, and it is preventable if people are vaccinated," Gordon said. "So, we just want to get that message out there that, you know, communities need to support people to get vaccinated and we need to work together, not just communities, but other stakeholders and the health units that are here that are in the Northwestern Health Unit and Thunder Bay Health Unit as well." In addition to immunization rates being low in the region's First Nations, Gordon said it's hard to connect community members with nurses. But she said SLFNHA has been "trying really hard to increase MMR [measles, mumps, and rubella] vaccinations in the communities." Gordon said there's also a need for more nurses and other resources to serve remote communities. "The nurses that we have [are] not adequate for the work that needs to be done in public health. We're just focusing on MMR, but there's other vaccinations that need to be done," she said. "So, resources for nurses, resources for travel to bring those workers to communities and, certainly, like places to work and do that actual vaccination and to have support at the community level, that would make it certainly more productive for the nurses that are going up there." Measles vaccine 'very effective' pediatrician says Meanwhile, Thunder Bay general consultant pediatrician Athena Young says families need to know that being vaccinated is the best way to guard against measles infection. "We know the measles vaccine is the most effective vaccine that has been created really, and it's very effective. So, if you have two doses of the measles vaccine, you are almost 100 per cent protected," Young said in an interview on Superior Morning. With the first case now being reported, Young says she's mostly concerned about how easily measles can spread in the community, especially where medical access is a challenge. "We are equipped to care for people with measles if it comes to it here in Thunder Bay, but what I actually worry about is spread to smaller, more remote communities," she said. Young is especially concerned about communities where the infrastructure for regular vaccines has been affected by either "the COVID pandemic or systemic difficulties, and spreading in those more vulnerable communities where we know the vaccination rates are much lower, not for lack of trying or for lack of people wanting them, but just kind of compounding factors that have prevented them from getting regular vaccinations." More exposure locations identified On Tuesday the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) sent out an alert, notifying people of more potential exposure locations, beyond their warning of the Thunder Bay airport on the night of May 4th. TBDHU says members of the public may have been exposed to measles virus as follows: Wednesday May 7, 2025 Harbourview Family Health Team 10:40 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. LifeLabs Oliver Road. 11:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Thursday May 8, 2025 Port Arthur Health Centre (including Shoppers Drug Mart) 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. LifeLabs Port Arthur Health Centre 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. TBDHU says these are in addition to the exposure location reported publicly on Friday, May 9: Sunday May 4, 2025 Air Canada flight AC1195 – Toronto to Thunder Bay 9:40 p.m. – 11 p.m. Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) terminal building 11 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. TBDHU advises anyone who may have been exposed to the measles virus on the flight to follow these instructions: Check your vaccination record to ensure you are protected from measles People born before 1970 are considered immune, as measles was widely circulating at that time. In addition, these individuals may have received measles vaccine at some point. Anyone born in 1970 or later should check their vaccination record to ensure they are protected from measles. They require two doses of a measles vaccine to be considered protected. Those unsure of their vaccination status are asked to contact their healthcare provider by phone or e-mail. Monitor for symptoms until May 25 Symptoms can include: fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, small spots with white centres that appear inside the mouth, a red blotchy rash appears on the face then spreads down the body (normally appears 3 to 7 days after symptoms begin). Individuals should monitor for symptoms even if they are vaccinated against measles. If symptoms develop, individuals should seek medical care and testing and should largely stay home until the results are back. Call ahead to clinics so precautionary measures can be taken.
