THE closure of a long-running cafe chain has been described as a “significant loss” for a town, with local business leaders highlighting the challenges currently facing high street retailers.

Merrie England, which operated seven cafes across Yorkshire, announced on Tuesday that it was closing after 60 years in business, citing rising costs and falling customer spending.

The closure affects its well-known sites in Huddersfield, Halifax Borough Market, and Brighouse.

Closure of any long-established business is ‘regrettable’

Gary Taylor, of Brighouse Retail Independent Shopkeepers (BRISK), said the end of Merrie England comes at a difficult time for traders as redevelopment and pedestrianisation works continue in the town centre.

Mr Taylor said: “As you may be aware, Brighouse is currently experiencing a period of change while the town centre pedestrianisation and redevelopment works are underway.

“The closure of any long-established business is regrettable, and The Merrie England has been part of the town for many years.

“Its closure represents a loss to both the local retail offer and the wider high street.”

Businesses facing growing pressures

Mr Taylor said businesses were facing increasing financial pressures both locally and nationally.

He said: “Like many retailers across the country, the business was operating in a challenging environment, with increasing operating and overhead costs alongside wider pressures affecting the retail sector.

“These factors are widely understood to have placed significant strain on high street businesses.”

He added that a number of Brighouse traders had also reported falling customer numbers since town centre improvement works began.

Footfall ‘reduced’ during redevelopment works

Mr Taylor said: “Since construction work began, footfall in the town centre has reduced. This is a situation being reported by a number of local businesses, with some traders in Phase One indicating reductions in trade of between 40 and 70 per cent, alongside continued pressure from rising costs.”

The comments come after Merrie England cited rising costs, higher business rates, energy bills and reduced customer spending when announcing the closure of all seven of its Yorkshire stores.

Call for free parking scheme

In response to the challenges facing retailers, BRISK is supporting a town-wide petition calling for between 30 and 60 minutes of free parking in Calderdale Council car parks.

Mr Taylor said: “We believe this measure could help improve accessibility, support local businesses, and encourage continued visits to the town centre during the redevelopment period.”

BRISK believes the measure could help support trade and reduce the risk of further closures while regeneration work continues.

Looking to the future

Despite concerns over the impact of the redevelopment works, Mr Taylor said local businesses remain committed to the long-term success of the town.

“The businesses within BRISK remain committed to the long-term success of Brighouse. The redevelopment is progressing, and our focus is on working constructively within this context.

“We also believe there is value in learning from other market towns that have undertaken similar schemes, in order to support positive outcomes for Brighouse.”

He added that BRISK is seeking continued engagement with Calderdale Council and believes practical measures, such as short-stay free parking, could help maintain a viable town centre throughout the redevelopment period.