Whitchurch - Once a thriving town in North Shropshire - part 2 of 2.
Thirty three and counting! This being 9th day of February 2026, that is how many shops are now remaining empty or about to close in Whitchurch town centre! Of course, there are some other shops and businesses that look closed by the state of their facades and interiors, even though they may open outside traditional hours. Never-the-less, it would help the lamentable state of the town centre if landlords and occupiers smartened up and added some pride to their premises.
But the worst news of all is that a major, long-established family store, and a major resource and destination for every home and business within twenty plus miles is that the emporium called Colour Supplies - or as many will remember it being named House Makers - is closing at the end of this month. Three generations of near-perfect retailing serving the local community - now gone!
It has become out-gunned by the large multiples like B&M, Hughs & Gray, Tool Station, ScrewFix, et al, located on the edge of town and some within walking distance from the town centre. Not forgetting the likes of Lidl and Aldi, local stores who may have their core business in food and produce, but do carry large stocks of home accessories, kitchen and bathroom items, electrical and plumbing goods, painting and decorating supplies. Hitherto the realm of the high street.
But none of them carry stocks of gratitude, pleasantries, product knowledge and personal assistance, such as was found at local family businesses. They all have a singular purpose - their eyes on the bottom line at the expense of their customers. In American parlance - 'the fast buck.'
The decline of our town centres is a ratchet fuelled by greed, ignorance and neglect. From the bottom up, from local government to national government, blinkered planning laws and lefty planners, and now the woke fraternity devouring peoples' rights to air and demonstrate their views and concerns.
Sadly, the writing is on the wall and windows - "closing down."
RIP Whitchurch.
RIP Colour Supplies!
The epitaph to a lost town:
